JP7335904B2 - Information processing system, information processing device, information processing program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing program, and an information processing method that perform short-range wireless communication.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a technique of performing communication between devices by short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) (see Patent Document 1, for example). In short-range wireless communication, communication is started between an information processing device and an information storage medium in response to an information storage medium (so-called tag) approaching the information processing device.

JP-A-2000-163524

However, the information storage medium only enables short-range wireless communication when it approaches the information processing apparatus, and cannot perform processing using the orientation of the information storage medium with respect to the information processing apparatus.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing program, and an information processing method that enable processing using the orientation of an information storage medium that performs short-range wireless communication with an information processing device. It is to be.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention can employ the following configurations, for example. When interpreting the description of the scope of claims, it should be understood that the scope should be interpreted only by the description of the scope of claims. In that case, the description in the scope of claims takes precedence.

One configuration example of the information processing system of the present invention is an information processing system including an information storage medium and an information processing device that performs short-range wireless communication with the information storage medium. The information processing device includes at least one antenna coil, an information acquisition section, an orientation detection section, and an information processing section. The information acquisition unit performs short-range wireless communication with the information storage medium via the antenna coil to read information from the information storage medium in proximity to the antenna coil. The orientation detection unit detects the orientation of the information storage medium capable of short-range wireless communication. The information processing section performs predetermined processing using the information read from the information storage medium and the orientation of the information storage medium.

According to the above, processing using information read from the information storage medium and the orientation of the information storage medium that performs near field communication with the information processing device is possible.

Further, the information storage medium may include a detected portion. The detected part can detect the orientation of the information storage medium by the orientation detection part.

According to the above, the orientation of the information storage medium can be easily detected by providing the detected portion on the information storage medium.

Further, the information processing apparatus may further include a touch panel. The touch panel detects a contact position of an object with respect to a predetermined surface provided near the antenna coil. In this case, the orientation detection section may detect the orientation of the information storage medium having the detected portion based on the contact position where the detected portion contacts the touch panel.

According to the above, the orientation of the information storage medium can be accurately detected.

Further, the information processing apparatus may further include a placement section. The mounting section mounts an information storage medium. In this case, the antenna coil may be provided inside the mounting portion.

According to the above, the information storage medium that communicates with the information processing device by short-range wireless communication can be stably placed, and the information processing device can function as a reader/writer device for short-range wireless communication.

Moreover, the touch panel may be capable of detecting a plurality of contact positions on a predetermined surface. The information storage medium may include a plurality of detected parts. In this case, the orientation detection section may detect the orientation of the information storage medium based on the contact positions at which the plurality of detected portions of the information storage medium touch the touch panel.

According to the above, the orientation of the information storage medium can be easily detected by detecting the contact position where each of the plurality of detected parts contacts the touch panel.

Also, the information processing system may include a plurality of information storage media. The orientation detection unit detects a set of a plurality of detected parts included in the information storage medium, and detects the orientation of the information storage medium having the set of detected parts based on the contact position of each set with respect to the touch panel. may

According to the above, the orientation of the information storage medium can be efficiently detected by detecting the orientation of the information storage medium based on the set of the plurality of detected portions.

Further, the touch panel may be optical. The detected portion may have a protruding portion that protrudes toward the predetermined surface when the information storage medium is placed on the predetermined surface. The orientation detection unit may detect the orientation of the information storage medium on which the protrusion is formed, based on the position of contact with the protrusion detected by the touch panel.

According to the above, it is possible to accurately detect the orientation of the information storage medium using the optical touch panel.

Also, the touch panel may be of a capacitive type. The detected portion may be conductive and provided on the predetermined surface side when the information storage medium is placed on the predetermined surface. The orientation detection unit may detect the orientation of the information storage medium having the detected portion based on the position of the conductive detected portion detected by the touch panel.

According to the above, a highly durable detection system can be realized by using a capacitive touch panel.

Further, the information processing device may further include a position detection section. The position detection unit detects the position of the information storage medium placed on the predetermined surface according to the contact position detected by the touch panel. In this case, the information processing section may perform predetermined processing using the information read from the information storage medium, the orientation of the information storage medium, and the position of the information storage medium.

According to the above, it is possible to perform processing using the position of the information storage medium in addition to the orientation and information of the information storage medium.

Further, the information storage medium may store identification information for identifying the information storage medium. The information processing section may perform predetermined processing using the identification information of the information storage medium and the orientation of the information storage medium.

According to the above, it is possible to perform processing using the orientation and type of the information storage medium.

Further, the information processing section may generate an image according to the information read from the information storage medium and the orientation of the information storage medium, and display the image on the display screen.

According to the above, it is possible to display an image according to the orientation of the information storage medium and the information read from the information storage medium.

Also, the antenna coil may be provided in the vicinity of the display screen. The orientation detection section may detect the orientation of the information storage medium placed on the display screen.

According to the above, by arranging the information storage medium near the display screen, an image corresponding to the information storage medium can be displayed on the display screen according to the orientation of the information storage medium.

Further, the information processing section may generate an image of a type corresponding to the identification information of the information storage medium in a direction based on the orientation of the information storage medium, and display the image on the display screen.

According to the above, it is possible to display an image according to the orientation of the information storage medium and the type of the information storage medium.

Further, the information storage medium may have a figure-shaped appearance. The information processing section may display, on the display screen, an image related to the figure based on the information read from the information storage medium.

According to the above, an image corresponding to the appearance of the information storage medium can be displayed according to the orientation of the information storage medium.

Also, the information processing system may include a plurality of information storage media. The orientation detection section may detect the orientation of each of the plurality of information storage media.

Further, the information processing section may perform predetermined processing according to the orientation of each of the plurality of information storage media.

According to the above, it is possible to perform processing according to the orientation of each of the plurality of information storage media.

Further, the information processing section may perform a predetermined process according to a combination of the orientation of the first information storage medium and the orientation of the second information storage medium different from the first information storage medium. .

According to the above, it is possible to perform processing according to the combination of orientations of the plurality of information storage media.

Further, the information processing apparatus may further include a touch panel. The touch panel detects contact positions of a plurality of objects with respect to a predetermined surface provided near the antenna coil. In this case, the orientation detection section may detect the orientation of each of the plurality of information storage media based on the plurality of contact positions detected by the touch panel.

According to the above, since multi-touch can be recognized, the orientation of each of the plurality of information storage media can be accurately detected.

Further, the present invention is embodied in the form of an information processing apparatus including the above components, an information processing program for causing a computer to function as means for performing each operation of the above components, and an information processing method including each operation of the above components. good too.

According to the present invention, processing using information read from the information storage medium and the orientation of the information storage medium for performing short-range wireless communication with the information processing apparatus becomes possible.

A diagram showing an example of the appearance of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system in FIG. 1; A diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication unit 11. A diagram showing an example of the appearance of tag 2 A diagram showing an example of data stored in tag 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of communication between an information processing device 1 and a tag 2 in an information processing system; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a first example of information processing performed by managing contact positions and arrangement directions of tags 2 and their shared data; A diagram for explaining a second example of information processing performed by managing contact positions, arrangement directions, and shared data of tags 2. FIG. A diagram for explaining a third example of information processing performed by managing the contact position, arrangement direction, and shared data of the tags 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the communication unit 11 capable of supplying power to multiple antennas simultaneously; A diagram showing an example in which the projection plane itself of each antenna is arranged in a matrix. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data area set in the memory 14 of the information processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment; 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the first half of communication processing executed in the information processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment; 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the second half of communication processing executed in the information processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment; A diagram showing another example of the appearance of tag 2

An information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing program, and an information processing method according to an example of the present embodiment will be described below. First, the configuration of the information processing system will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an information processing system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information processing system includes an information processing device 1 and a storage medium (tag) 2 . The information processing device 1 is capable of wireless communication (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as short-range wireless communication) with the adjacent tag 2, and during the short-range wireless communication, the initiator-side wireless communication device Any information processing device capable of functioning as (mainly a device that issues commands to a communication destination device). Further, the tag 2 is capable of short-range wireless communication with the information processing device 1, and the wireless communication device (mainly the initiator-side wireless communication device) that is the target of the information processing device 1 during the short-range wireless communication. any information storage medium capable of functioning as a device receiving instructions from the

In this embodiment, as an example of short-range wireless communication, a case where communication based on the NFC standard is performed between the information processing device 1 and the tag 2 will be described. Here, in this specification, near field communication refers to a communication method in which radio waves from one device generate an electromotive force in the other device (for example, by electromagnetic induction). The other device can operate from the generated electromotive force (the other device may or may not have a power source). In short-range wireless communication, communication becomes possible when the information processing device 1 and the tag 2 are close to each other (typically, when the distance between them is ten and several centimeters or less). In short-range wireless communication, radio waves continue to be transmitted while communication between two communication devices is established (while another tag is approaching the communication device). In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 causes the tag 2 to generate an electromotive force through electromagnetic induction, and short-range wireless communication is performed between the information processing device 1 and the tag 2 .

The information processing device 1 is any information processing device capable of short-range wireless communication. In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 may be a portable (also called portable) device such as a portable game device, a mobile phone, or a smartphone, or may be a personal computer or a home game machine. It may be a stationary type device such as a commercial arcade game device or the like. For example, the information processing device 1 is a mobile device having an NFC reader/writer function.

The tag 2 is any device capable of short-range wireless communication with the information processing device 1 . In this embodiment, the tag 2 is a storage medium having the function of an NFC tag. That is, the tag 2 includes a circuit (IC chip) for performing short-range wireless communication and storage means (memory, etc.) for storing data. Note that the tag 2 is not limited to a device having only the function of storing data, and may be, for example, an information processing device (portable device) having a card emulation function of NFC.

The information processing device 1 has a display unit 17 on its main surface, and short-range wireless communication is possible with the tag 2 approaching the display screen of the display unit 17 . Then, the information processing apparatus 1 detects the position of the tag 2 approaching (in contact with) the display screen of the display unit 17 (on the display screen closest to (in contact with) the tag 2). (hereinafter referred to as a contact position) can be detected, and information processing based on the contact position can be performed. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, with the contact position of the tag 2a on the display screen of the display unit 17 as a reference, the image Ia corresponding to the type of the tag 2a is displayed on the display screen. Further, another image Ib corresponding to the type of the tag 2b is displayed on the display screen with the contact position of the tag 2b on the display screen of the display unit 17 as a reference. As will become apparent later, the information processing apparatus 1 can detect the direction of the tag 2 placed on the display screen, and can perform processing based on the direction of the tag 2 . In this case, the information processing device 1 can display the image Ia corresponding to the type and direction of the tag 2a on the display screen of the display unit 17, using the contact position of the tag 2a on the display screen of the display unit 17 as a reference. Further, with the contact position of the tag 2b on the display screen of the display unit 17 as a reference, it is possible to display another image Ib corresponding to the type and direction of the tag 2b on the display screen. The display screen of the display unit 17 can function as a placement unit on which the tag 2 is placed by making the display screen substantially horizontal. In this case, the display screen of the display unit 17 can stably place the tag 2 that communicates with the information processing device 1 by short-range wireless communication, and the information processing device 1 functions as a reader/writer device for short-range wireless communication. becomes possible.

An example of the configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2 , the information processing device 1 includes a communication section 11 . The communication unit 11 is an antenna used for short-range wireless communication. The information processing device 1 also includes a communication chip 12 . The communication chip 12 generates a signal (radio waves) to be sent from the communication section 11 and sends the signal from the communication section 11 according to an instruction from the CPU 13 which will be described later. The communication chip 12 is, for example, an NFC chip (NFC integrated circuit). Note that in other embodiments, a communication module (for example, an NFC module) having the functions of the communication unit 11 and the communication chip 12 may be connected (attached) to the information processing device 1 . This communication module may be configured to be detachable from the information processing device 1 .

The information processing device 1 also includes a CPU 13 and a memory 14 . The CPU 13 is an information processing unit for executing various types of information processing executed by the information processing apparatus 1 . The CPU 13 uses the memory 14 to execute the various types of information processing described above.

The information processing device 1 includes a program storage unit 15 . The program storage unit 15 stores various programs (for example, communication programs and application programs) executed in the information processing device 1 . The program storage unit 15 is an arbitrary storage device (storage medium) accessible by the CPU 13 . The program storage unit 15 may be a storage unit built into the information processing apparatus 1 such as a hard disk or memory, or a storage medium such as an optical disk or a cartridge that is removable from the information processing apparatus 1. or both of these storage unit and storage medium.

The information processing apparatus 1 also includes an input unit 16 such as a button or a touch panel that receives instructions from a user. The information processing apparatus 1 also includes a display section 17 that displays an image generated by the information processing. For example, the input unit 16 has an optical touch panel that detects the position on the display screen of the display unit 17 . The touch panel is capable of multi-touch that recognizes two or more input positions on its input surface. As an example, the input unit 16 projects light (for example, infrared light) into a cover glass provided on the surface of the display screen of the display unit 17, and when an object touches the surface of the cover glass, the cover glass It is equipped with a touch panel using a planar scatter detection method (PSD: Planar Scatter Detection) that utilizes a phenomenon in which light traveling while reflecting inside is scattered. Note that the touch panel provided in the input unit 16 may not be a flat-spray detection method, and may be another optical touch panel, a pressure type (resistive film type), a capacitance type, an ultrasonic type, an electromagnetic induction type, or the like. There may be.

Note that the information processing device 1 may be configured by a plurality of devices. For example, in other embodiments, at least part of the information processing performed by the information processing device 1 may be distributed and performed by a plurality of devices capable of communicating via a network (wide area network and/or local network). good.

For example, the information processing apparatus 1 may be configured such that the CPU 13 can execute a plurality of programs such as an application program and a communication program. The application program is a program for executing any application that performs data communication with the tag 2. Even if it is a game program that reads game data from the tag 2 and performs game processing using the game data, good. A communication program is a program for performing short-range wireless communication with the tag 2 . For example, the communication program is firmware or driver software for operating the communication chip 12, and receives instructions from an application to cause the communication chip 12 to perform operations for communication.

Next, a configuration example of the communication unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication unit 11. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the communication unit 11 has a plurality of antennas used for short-range wireless communication with the tag 2 (target wireless communication target). In the example shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of antennas 111 to 126 are provided along the display screen of the display section 17 (that is, the touch panel input surface of the input section 16). Among the plurality of antennas 111 to 126, the plurality of antennas 111 to 118 have a long and narrow shape (for example, a long and narrow rectangle with rounded corners) whose longitudinal direction is the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) of the display screen. They are arranged side by side from the top to the bottom of the display screen. Further, among the plurality of antennas 111 to 126, the plurality of antennas 119 to 126 have a long and narrow shape (for example, a long and narrow rectangle with rounded corners) whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction (vertical direction) of the display screen. , are arranged side by side from the left to the right of the display screen so as to intersect with a plurality of antennas 111 to 118, respectively. In other words, the plurality of antennas 111 to 126 are arranged along the display screen of the display unit 17 so as to form a matrix-like area. As a result, the projection planes (aperture planes) of each of the antennas 111 to 126 are subdivided by other intersecting antennas. For example, the antenna 114 arranged in the horizontal direction of the display screen has a plurality of intersecting antennas 119 to 126 that intersect the projection plane of the antenna 114 and the projection plane of the antenna 119, and the projection plane of the antenna 114 and the antenna 120. An area intersecting the projection plane, an area intersecting the projection plane of the antenna 114 and the projection plane of the antenna 121, an area intersecting the projection plane of the antenna 114 and the projection plane of the antenna 122, and the projection plane of the antenna 114 and the projection plane of the antenna 123. , an area where the projection plane of the antenna 114 and the projection plane of the antenna 124 intersect, an area where the projection plane of the antenna 114 and the projection plane of the antenna 125 intersect, and the projection plane of the antenna 126 and the projection plane of the antenna 119. It is subdivided into eight regions of intersecting regions.

The communication unit 11 also has an antenna changeover switch 110 for switching the antenna used by the communication chip 12 for short-range wireless communication. The antenna switch 110 connects one of the plurality of antennas 111 to 126 to the communication chip 12 according to an instruction from the CPU 13 (the instruction may be given via the communication chip 13). As a result, the communication chip 11 generates a signal (radio waves) to be sent from the communication unit 11 according to the instruction from the CPU 13, and selects one of the antennas 111 to 126 selected via the antenna changeover switch 110. Send from one. Further, when a signal is received from any one of the plurality of selected antennas 111 to 126, the communication chip 12 acquires the signal via the antenna changeover switch 110. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the tag 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the tag 2 in this embodiment is a figure-type tag having an appearance representing a character. A character represented by the tag 2 is a character that appears in a specific application (for example, a game) executable by the information processing device 1 . By using the tag 2, the user can make the character appear in the specific application. That is, when executing the program of the specific application, the information processing device 1 makes the character appear in the virtual space generated by the program of the application by using the data stored in the tag 2 . The figure-shaped tag 2 represents any object that appears in the application, and is not limited to characters, and may represent items in the game application.

As noted above, tag 2 is used in certain application programs. In addition, although the details will be described later, the tag 2 can store data (dedicated data described later) that can be used only in a specific application program. The specific application program corresponding to one type of tag may be of one type or of a plurality of types. For example, when multiple types of applications are provided as one series of applications, these multiple types of applications may be specific application programs.

Note that while the tag 2 can be used in a specific application program, it may also be used in other application programs. That is, the tag 2 stores data that can be used only in a specific application program, while also storing data that can be used in other application programs than the specific application program.

A plurality of protrusions 261, 262, and 263a to 263c are formed on the bottom surface of the pedestal 26 of the tag 2. As shown in FIG. The projecting portion 261 is formed substantially in the center of the bottom surface of the tag 2, and when the bottom surface of the tag 2 is brought into contact with the display screen of the display unit 17 (that is, the touch panel input surface of the input unit 16), the projection 261 is operated by the touch panel. It is formed in a size that enables position detection. The protrusion 262 is formed on the bottom surface of the tag 2 in a predetermined direction of the tag 2 (for example, behind the tag 2) with respect to the protrusion 261, and the bottom surface of the tag 2 is positioned on the display unit 17 similarly to the protrusion 261. It is formed in a size that enables position detection by the touch panel when it is brought into contact with the display screen. The protrusion 262 is formed in a size or shape that can be distinguished from the protrusion 261 when the position is detected by the touch panel. The plurality of protrusions 263a to 263c are formed near the outer edge of the bottom surface of the tag 2, and when the tag 2 is placed on the display screen, the protrusions 263a to 263c come into contact with the display screen and are formed in a size that cannot be detected by the touch panel. ing. For example, the plurality of protrusions 263a to 263c are provided at three locations at equal intervals on the outer edge of the bottom surface of the tag 2, and are formed so that the tag 2 can be stably placed on the display screen. In addition, when the plurality of projections 263a to 263c respectively come into contact with the display screen, at least one of the projections 261 and 262 may have a projection height that contacts the display screen, or at least one of the projections may have a height corresponding to the touch panel. The projection height may be such that it does not come into contact with the detectable display screen.

Thus, by forming the projections 261 and 262 on the bottom surface of the base 26 of the tag 2, the bottom surface of the tag 2 is brought into contact with the display screen of the display unit 17 (that is, the touch panel input surface of the input unit 16). At this time, it is possible to acquire the direction of the tag 2 placed on the display screen. For example, when the tag 2 is placed on the display screen, the positions of the protrusions 261 and 262 can be detected by the touch panel provided on the display screen. Since the protrusions 261 and 262 are formed in sizes or shapes that can be distinguished from each other when their positions are detected by the touch panel, the direction in which the tag 2 is placed can be calculated using the respective detected positions. can be done.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the tag 2. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the tag 2 has a read-only area 21 and a readable/writable area 22, as shown in FIG. The read-only area 21 is a storage area from which data can only be read. The readable/writable area 22 is a storage area from which data can be read and written. The read-only area 21 is a storage area in which data is stored at the time of manufacture of the tag 2 or the like, and writing of data thereafter (after shipment of the tag 2) is prohibited. In other words, the information processing device 1 (an application executed in the information processing device 1) cannot write data to the read-only area 21 . On the other hand, the information processing device 1 (an application executed in the information processing device 1) can read data from and write data to the readable/writable area 22 . Data may or may not be stored in the readable/writable area 22 in advance when the tag 2 is shipped. In either case, when the tag 2 and the information processing device 1 communicate with each other, the information processing device 1 writes and stores data in the readable/writable area 22 .

In addition, in the present embodiment, two types of data, ie, dedicated data and shared data, are stored in the tag 2 roughly. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, storage areas (dedicated data area and shared data area) in which each data is stored are determined in advance. It does not have to be

Proprietary data is data that is only available to the specific application programs mentioned above. In this embodiment, the dedicated data includes save data D2f of a specific application program (see FIG. 5). As the save data D2f, for example, data indicating parameters relating to the character represented by the tag 2, data indicating the progress of the game of a specific application program, and/or data relating to the player of the game of a specific application program, etc. are stored. . In this embodiment, dedicated data is stored in the read/write area 22 and is not stored in the read-only area 21 (see FIG. 5).

Next, shared data will be described. Shared data is data that is available regardless of whether it is a particular application program. In this embodiment, shared data is stored in both read-only area 21 and read-write area 22 . Note that the tag 2 may store shared data only in either the read-only area 21 or the read/write area 22 .

The read-only area 21 may store at least unique ID data D2a, type ID data D2b, figure ID data D2c, series ID data D2d, and use ID data D2e as shared data.

For example, the unique ID data D2a is data indicating identification information unique to the tag 2 . Here, an NFC tag such as the tag 2 in this embodiment stores unique identification information called a UID (Unique ID). The unique ID data D2a is data indicating information different from the UID. The unique ID data D2a is data indicating an ID assigned separately from the UID so that the service provider using the tag 2 can easily manage the tag.

The figure ID data D2c is data indicating identification information unique to the appearance (shape and color) of the figure-shaped tag 2. FIG. The figure ID data D2c is data indicating identification information that can uniquely identify the type of figure of the tag 2. FIG. For example, if one character has multiple types of tags with different appearances (for example, different poses and clothes), each tag is assigned a figure ID with a different value. In this case, the figure ID data D2c may include data indicating an ID unique to the character and an ID indicating differences in pose, clothing, and the like.

Note that the application program that can be executed in the information processing apparatus 1 includes information on the figure ID of the tag that is used (available) in itself. For example, when the figure ID value included in the application program matches the figure ID value stored in the tag 2, the application program can use the dedicated data stored in the tag 2. In other words, it can be said that the figure ID is identification information for managing the use of dedicated data stored in the tag 2 .

The series ID data D2d is data indicating identification information unique to the group to which the object (character) represented by the tag 2 belongs. For example, when a character represented by tag 2 appears in multiple types of applications (for example, a series of game applications), these multiple types of applications are set in one group, and data indicating a group ID indicating this group is It may be set in the series ID data D2d.

The type ID data D2b is data indicating identification information indicating the type of the tag 2 . In this embodiment, in the information processing apparatus 1, in addition to figure-type tags such as the tag 2, card-type tags can also be used. The type ID data D2b is data indicating identification information indicating whether the type of tag is a figure-type tag or a card-type tag. Note that in other embodiments, any type of tag can be identified by the type ID data D2b. For example, a different type ID may be attached to each trader that provides the tag 2 .

The usage ID data D2e is data indicating identification information specifying an application program (a specific application program) that can use the dedicated data stored in the tag 2 . Here, application programs that can be executed by the information processing apparatus 1 are assigned usage IDs. In this embodiment, a figure ID is used to manage the use of dedicated data stored in the tag 2. FIG. However, in other embodiments, a usage ID may be used to manage the usage of proprietary data stored on tag 2 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the readable/writable area 22 stores initial registration data D2g and update data D2h as shared data. The contents of the shared data stored in the tag 2 are arbitrary. For example, in another embodiment, the tag 2 may store only one of the initial registration data D2g and the update data D2h as shared data.

The initial registration data D2g is data registered by the user when the use of the tag 2 in the information processing device 1 is started. The initial registration data D2g is typically stored in the tag 2 when the tag 2 is used for the first time, but may be stored in the tag 2 at any timing. In other words, the registration of data in the tag 2 by the user may be performed at any timing. For example, the initial registration data D2g may include data indicating avatar data, nickname, date and time of registration, area, and the like.

Avatar data is data of a user's avatar. The avatar data includes data used by information processing device 1 to generate an avatar and display it on display unit 17 . Specifically, the avatar data includes data indicating each part of the avatar (shape of eyes, nose, body type, etc.). In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 stores a program for generating an avatar using avatar data. In the present embodiment, a program for generating avatars is stored in advance in the information processing device 1, and avatars can be displayed in each application program.

A nickname is a nickname given to tag 2 by a user. For example, if one user owns two or more tags with the same appearance, each tag can be distinguished by assigning different nicknames to these tags. When the initial registration process is executed for the tag 2, the information processing device 1 may prompt the user to enter avatar data and a nickname. In this case, the input data is stored in the tag 2 as the initial registration data D2g together with the registration date and time and area data, which will be described later.

The date and time of registration is the date and time when the initial registration was performed. Also, the area is the area where the initial registration was performed. For example, the registration date and time and area data may be automatically written to the tag 2 by the information processing device 1 in the initial registration process.

Next, information included in the update data D2h will be described. The update data D2h is data whose contents are updated when communication between the tag 2 and the information processing device 1 is performed (under certain conditions). For example, the update data D2h may include data indicating the number of times of writing, the last writing device, the number of device changes, the last used application, and the date and time of last writing. For example, the update data D2h stored in the tag 2 may be updated (overwritten) at the timing when the dedicated data is written.

The number of writes is the number of times the dedicated data was written to the tag 2 . The last writing device is the information processing device that last wrote dedicated data to the tag 2 . For example, when unique identification information is attached to each information processing device, the identification information of the information processing device that performed the writing and its hash value may be stored as the data of the writing device. The device change count is the number of times the information processing device that writes the dedicated data has been changed. For example, after writing to the tag 2 by the user's own information processing device, an information processing device different from the user's information processing device (for example, an information processing device installed at a store outside or a user's friend information processing device) writes to tag 2, the device change count is incremented. The last-used application is the application program that last wrote dedicated data to tag 2 . For example, data of identification information specific to each application program may be stored as the data of the last-used application instead of the usage ID. The date and time of last writing is the date and time when dedicated data was last written to the tag 2 .

Note that the dedicated data and the shared data may be encrypted by a method that can be decrypted by the information processing device 1 . The private data encryption method and the shared data encryption method may be the same or different. Therefore, even if the other data is read from the tag 2 by a device that does not have the decoding function of the above system, the device cannot decode the content of the data. Thereby, the security of the data in the tag 2 can be improved. Note that in other embodiments, one of the private data and the shared data may not be encrypted.

Next, operations related to communication in the information processing system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of communication between the information processing device 1 and the tag 2 in the information processing system.

When the tag 2 is placed on the display screen of the display unit 17, the information processing device 1 manages data indicating the contact position of the tag 2 and the type and status of the tag 2 (for example, shared data of the tag 2). do. For example, the information processing device 1 acquires the contact position of the tag 2 (strictly speaking, the position where the center of the protrusion 261 of the tag 2 is in contact with the display screen) based on position detection data from the touch panel of the input unit 16. Then, data indicating the type and status of the tag 2 is obtained by obtaining shared data from the tag 2 via short-range wireless communication. As shown in FIG. 6, when a plurality of tags 2a to 2f are placed on the display screen of the display unit 17, the information processing device 1 performs short-range wireless communication with each of the plurality of tags 2a to 2f. It manages contact positions and the above data for each of the plurality of tags 2a to 2f.

For example, the tag 2b placed near the area where the projection plane of the antenna 117 and the projection plane of the antenna 122 intersect (hereinafter referred to as the first area) intersects the projection plane of the antenna 115 and the projection plane of the antenna 124. Let us consider the case of moving to the vicinity of the area where the object is located (hereinafter referred to as the second area). When the tag 2b leaves the display screen in the first area, or when the tag 2b moves from the first area along the display screen, the information processing device 1 reads the position detection data output from the touch panel. is used to detect movement of tag 2b. Then, when the tag 2b is placed on the display screen of the second area, the information processing device 1 uses the position detection data output from the touch panel to detect that some object has been placed in the second area. To detect.

At this time, the information processing apparatus 1 attempts short-range wireless communication with the object placed in the second area by sequentially feeding the antennas associated with the second area. For example, by supplying power to the antenna 115, the information processing device 1 communicates with tags capable of short-range wireless communication via the antenna 115 (tags 2a, 2b, and 2e in the example shown in FIG. 6). Communicate and acquire the shared data from the tag. After that, the information processing device 1 supplies power to the antenna 124 to communicate with tags capable of short-range wireless communication (the tag 2b and the tag 2c in the example shown in FIG. 6) via the antenna 124, The shared data is obtained from the tag. Next, the information processing device 1 compares the shared data obtained through the communication and determines that the tag that transmitted the common shared data is the tag that has moved to the second area. Then, based on the shared data transmitted by the tag that has moved to the second area, the information processing device 1 determines that the tag having the shared data (that is, the tag 2b) is placed in the second area. manages the contact position of the tag 2b and the shared data of the tag 2b.

In the above example, the case where the tag 2b moves has been described. However, even if the tag does not move, it is possible to manage the contact position of the tag and the shared data of the tag. For example, even when a plurality of tags 2 are fixedly placed on the display screen, the information processing device 1 uses the position detection data output from the touch panel to determine the contact position of each tag 2. can be detected. Then, based on the detected contact position of each tag 2, the information processing apparatus 1 performs communication as described above and extracts common shared data, thereby extracting the tag placed at each contact position. 2 types and situations can be managed.

Further, in this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the tag 2 is managed together with the contact position of the tag 2 and shared data. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the information processing apparatus 1 sets the position where the protrusion 261 contacts the display screen and the position where the protrusion 262 contacts the display screen as a set. Calculate the placement situation. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 1 extracts the position where the protrusion 262 is in contact with the display screen within a predetermined range based on the position where the protrusion 261 is in contact with the display screen, The set of positions is set as the contact position of one tag 2 . Then, the information processing apparatus 1 moves in a direction based on the positions in the set group (for example, from the center position where the protrusion 261 is in contact with the display screen toward the center position where the protrusion 262 is in contact with the display screen). direction), the arrangement direction of the tag 2 is calculated. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, since the projection 262 is provided behind the tag 2 with respect to the projection 261, the projection 261 is projected onto the display screen from the position where the projection 262 is in contact with the display screen. The arrangement direction of the tag 2 is calculated and managed so that the direction to the position in contact with is the front direction of the tag 2 . For example, in the example of the tag 2a shown in FIG. 7, the front direction (arrangement direction) of the tag 2a is calculated to be the lower left direction, and this direction is managed as the arrangement direction of the tag 2a.

In this way, various information processing becomes possible by managing the contact position, arrangement direction, and shared data of the tag 2 placed on the display screen. As a first example, a game process in which tags 2 attack each other according to the arrangement position and arrangement direction of tags 2 can be considered. For example, consider a case in which three tags 2a to 2c are arranged in the arrangement position and arrangement direction as shown in FIG. 7, and a game is played in which these tags 2a to 2c attack each other. Here, assuming that the direction in which the attack effect of tag 2 is obtained is the forward direction of tag 2, tag 2a and tag 2c can attack tag 2b, but tag 2b can attack other tags 2a and 2b. It becomes a game in which 2c cannot be attacked. In this way, information processing (game processing) that considers not only the contact position of the tag 2 and its type and situation, but also the arrangement direction of the tag 2 is possible, so that unprecedented information processing is possible.

A second example is display control processing in which an image related to the tag 2 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 17 according to the arrangement position and arrangement direction of the tag 2 . For example, as shown in FIG. 8, consider a case where the tag 2a placed at position X moves to position Y while rotating. Here, an image Ia showing information about the tag 2a is displayed behind the tag 2a, and the image Ia is a horizontally written character image showing the state and contents of the tag 2a with the writing direction from the left to the right of the tag 2a. It is configured. In this case, when the tag 2a rotates and moves to the position Y, the image Ia also moves behind the tag 2a after the movement, and the writing direction of the image Ia changes according to the rotated tag 2a. In this way, information processing (display control processing) that considers not only the contact position of the tag 2 and its type and situation but also the arrangement direction of the tag 2 is possible, so that unprecedented information processing is possible. As another example, some object (for example, an image imitating a ball, etc.) is thrown (from the position of the tag 2a placed at the position X) along the forward direction in the direction of the tag 2a placed at the position X. It is also conceivable to perform display control processing.

As a third example, data communication processing for controlling data transmission/reception with respect to the tag 2 according to the arrangement position and arrangement direction of the tag 2 can be considered. For example, consider a case where three tags 2a to 2c are arranged in the arrangement position and arrangement direction as shown in FIG. 9, and data communication is performed between these tags 2a to 2c. Here, assuming that the direction in which tag 2 can transmit data to another tag is the forward direction of tag 2, tag 2a can transmit data to tag 2b, and tag 2b can transmit data to tag 2a. and tag 2c can send data to tag 2b. However, tag 2a cannot send data to tag 2c, tag 2b cannot send data to tag 2c, and tag 2c cannot send data to tag 2a. In this way, information processing (communication processing) that considers not only the contact position, type, and situation of the tag 2 but also the arrangement direction of the tag 2 is possible, so that unprecedented information processing is possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the arrangement direction of the tag 2 is detected by detecting the position where the protrusions 261 and 262 formed on the bottom surface of the tag 2 come into contact with the touch panel using the optical touch panel. However, even a capacitive touch panel can detect the arrangement direction of the tag 2 . For example, instead of the protrusions 261 and 262 described above, the tag 2 is provided with electrically conductive members to be sensed. By configuring the positions of these members to be detected to be detectable by a capacitive touch panel, and by configuring these members to be detected so as to be distinguishable by size or the like, similarly, the arrangement position and arrangement direction of the tag 2 can be detected. can be detected.

Further, as described above, by acquiring the contact position of the tag 2 based on the position detection data from the touch panel of the input unit 16, it is possible to manage the accurate contact position. If not, the above-described tag placement position management may be performed without using the position detection data from the touch panel. For example, only short-range wireless communication between the information processing device 1 and the tag 2 may be used to manage the contact position of the tag 2 and the type and status of the tag 2 . As an example, the information processing device 1 executes polling processing for each of the antennas 111 to 130 in order to confirm the existence of the tag 2 on the display screen. Then, when the information processing device 1 detects the presence of the tag 2 by detecting the influence caused by the coupling of the coil with the tag 2 (change in the amplitude and phase of the antenna voltage in the communication unit 11), Data (eg, shared data) is acquired from the tag 2 by executing processing for establishing communication (eg, processing for acquiring information necessary for data communication from the tag 2). Then, when the polling process via all the antennas is completed, the information processing device 1 determines the contact position of the tag 2 and determine the type and status of Specifically, it is determined that the tags 2 that have transmitted common shared data respectively acquired via a plurality of antennas exist in the vicinity of the area where the projection planes of the plurality of antennas intersect, and based on the determination result, The position (contact position) of tag 2 and shared data are managed.

In addition, when the contact position of the tag 2 and the type and status of the tag 2 are managed using only the short-range wireless communication between the information processing device 1 and the tag 2, it is conceivable that the polling process may take a long time. be done. In order to shorten such polling time, power may be supplied to a plurality of antennas simultaneously to efficiently perform polling processing. For example, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the communication unit 11 capable of supplying power to multiple antennas simultaneously.

In FIG. 10, another example of the communication section 11 similarly has a plurality of antennas 111 to 126 used for short-range wireless communication with the tag 2 . The arrangement of the plurality of antennas 111 to 126 with respect to the display screen of the display unit 17 is the same as the antennas explained using FIG. 3, so detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Another example of the communication unit 11 has a plurality of communication chips 12a and 12b. The communication chip 12a has an antenna selector switch 110a for switching the antenna used for short-range wireless communication. The communication chip 12b also has an antenna changeover switch 110b for switching the antenna used for short-range wireless communication. The antenna selector switch 110a connects one of the plurality of antennas 111 to 114 and 119 to 122 to the communication chip 12a according to instructions from the CPU 13. FIG. Further, the antenna selector switch 110b connects one of the plurality of antennas 115 to 118 and 123 to 126 to the communication chip 12b according to instructions from the CPU 13. FIG. As a result, the communication chip 11a generates signals (radio waves) to be sent from the communication unit 11 according to instructions from the CPU 13, and selects the plurality of antennas 111 to 114 and 119 to 122 selected via the antenna changeover switch 110a. is sent from any one of The communication chip 11b also generates signals (radio waves) to be sent from the communication unit 11 according to instructions from the CPU 13, and selects the antennas 115 to 118 and 123 to 126 selected via the antenna changeover switch 110b. Send from any one. Therefore, the communication unit 11 can simultaneously transmit or receive signals from the two selected antennas by the two communication chips 12a and 12b transmitting or receiving signals, respectively. Note that the term “simultaneously” used in this specification may include a time lag. Then, when a signal is received from at least one of the two selected antennas 111 to 126, the communication chips 12a and/or 12b acquire the signal via the antenna selector switches 110a and/or 110b. More specifically, the CPU 13 controls two antennas that transmit signals simultaneously so that the antennas do not cross each other. That is, when the antenna changeover switch 110a selects any one of the plurality of antennas 111 to 114, the CPU 13 controls the antenna changeover switch 110b to select one of the plurality of antennas 115 to 118, When the antenna selector switch 110a selects one of the plurality of antennas 119-122, the antenna selector switch 110b is controlled to select one of the plurality of antennas 123-126. This makes it possible to transmit polling signals using a plurality of antennas at the same time, thereby shortening the time required for polling processing. Moreover, even when power is supplied to a plurality of antennas at the same time, since interference between the antennas does not occur, accurate data communication processing is possible.

In another example of the communication unit 11 described above, the communication chip 12a communicates via the antenna selected by the antenna selector switch 110a, and the communication chip 12b communicates via the antenna selected by the antenna selector switch 110b. Although an example is used, similar communication may be performed using one communication chip. In this case, according to instructions from the CPU 13, one communication chip 12 generates signals (radio waves) to be sent from the communication unit 11, and a plurality of antennas 111-114 and 119- 122 and any one of the plurality of antennas 115-118 and 123-126 selected via the antenna selector switch 110b.

Further, in the above example, it is determined whether or not the tag 2 exists near the projection plane of each antenna by performing polling processing. good. For example, the information processing device 1 issues a data transmission request on the assumption that the tag 2 exists without performing the above-described polling process, and receives data corresponding to the data transmission request when the tag 2 exists. , the presence or absence of the tag 2 may be detected.

Further, when the contact position of the tag 2 and the type and status of the tag 2 are managed using only short-range wireless communication between the information processing device 1 and the tag 2, after the contact position of the tag 2 is determined, By supplying power only to the antenna corresponding to the contact position, communication may be performed periodically with the tag 2 to confirm its existence. In this way, by supplying power only to the antenna corresponding to the contact position with the tag 2, a power saving effect in the information processing apparatus 1 can be expected.

Further, in the above description, by arranging a plurality of antennas crossing each other, the projection surface of each antenna is subdivided into a plurality of regions, and the regions are arranged in a matrix. 11 may not be crossed. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the projection planes of the antennas may be arranged in a matrix without intersecting the plurality of antennas forming the communication unit 11 . In the example shown in FIG. 11, nine antennas 141 to 149 are arranged so that the projection planes form a 3×3 matrix. Thus, even when a plurality of antennas are arranged side by side along the display screen of the display unit 17 without crossing the antennas, the tag 2 exists for each divided area of the display screen. and receive data from the tag 2 for each area. can be done.

Next, an example of specific processing executed by the information processing system (information processing device 1) in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of data areas set in the memory 14 of the information processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment. In addition to the data shown in FIG. 12, the memory 14 also stores data used in other processes, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Various programs Pa to be executed by the information processing apparatus 1 are stored in the program storage area of the memory 14 . In the present embodiment, the various programs Pa include a communication program for performing short-range wireless communication and an application program for performing information processing (for example, game processing) performed using the tag 2 (for example, the specific application program described above). program) and the like are stored. Various programs Pa may be stored in advance in the program storage unit 15, may be acquired from a storage medium detachable from the information processing apparatus 1 and stored in the memory 14, or may be stored in the memory 14 via a network such as the Internet. It may be acquired from another device via and stored in the memory 14 . The CPU 13 executes various programs Pa stored in the memory 14 .

Various data used in communication processing and information processing executed in the information processing apparatus 1 are stored in the data storage area of the memory 14 . In this embodiment, the memory 14 stores position data D1a, reception data D1b, tag data D1c, game processing data D1d, transmission data D1e, image data D1f, and the like.

The position data D1a is data output from the input unit 16, and particularly data indicating an input position detected by the touch panel. The received data D1b is data received from the tag 2 during the data communication process described above. The tag data D1c is data managed for each tag whose existence has been confirmed, and includes tag contact position data D1c1, tag direction data D1c2, tag shared data D1c3, and the like. The tag contact position data D1c1 is data indicating the position on the display screen where the tag is arranged. The tag direction data D1c2 is data indicating the direction in which the tag is arranged on the display screen. The tag shared data D1c3 is data indicating shared data of the tag received from the tag. The game processing data D1d is data used when playing a game using tags. The transmission data D1e is data to be transmitted to the tag 2 during the data communication process described above. The image data D1f is data for displaying an image on the display unit 17 during the game.

Next, a detailed example of communication processing in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the first half of communication processing executed in the information processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing an example of the second half of the communication process executed by the information processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the series of processes shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are performed by the CPU 13 executing a communication program or a predetermined application program included in various programs Pa. Moreover, the timing at which the communication processing shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is started is arbitrary. 13 and 14, each step executed by the CPU 13 is abbreviated as "S".

The processing of each step in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is merely an example. In addition (or instead) another process may be performed. Further, in the present embodiment, the CPU 13 is assumed to execute the processing of each step of the above flowchart, but the processing of some of the steps in the above flowchart may be executed by a processor other than the CPU 13 or a dedicated circuit. good.

In FIG. 13, the CPU 13 performs initial settings for information processing (for example, game processing) using tag 2 (step 41), and proceeds to the next step. For example, in the initial setting, the CPU 13 initializes parameters for performing the following processing (for example, game processing using tag 2).

Next, the CPU 13 acquires data on the operation instruction position (contact position) on the display screen of the display section 17 from the input section 16 (touch panel) (step 42), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 acquires, from a touch panel provided on the surface of the display screen of the display unit 17, data indicating an input position with respect to the touch panel (positions where the projections 261 and 262 are in contact with the touch panel). The position data D1a is updated using the data indicating the input position.

Next, the CPU 13 performs reception processing according to the position of the tag 2 (step 43), and proceeds to the next step. For example, when the CPU 13 acquires data indicating the input position of the projecting portion 261 that is not managed in step 42, the CPU 13 receives data from the tag 2 arranged with the input position as the contact position, and Then, the received data D1b is stored in the received data D1b. For example, the CPU 13 sequentially supplies power to antennas (antennas capable of communicating with the tag 2 placed at the contact position) associated with the newly detected contact position (newly detected input position of the protrusion 261). By doing so, near field communication with an object (for example, tag 2) placed at the contact position is attempted. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 6, when a position where communication is possible using antennas 115 and 124 is detected as a new contact position, CPU 13 supplies power to antennas 115 and 124 in order. , communicates with the tag 2 capable of short-range wireless communication via the antenna 115 and the antenna 124, and the shared data is acquired from the tag 2 and stored in the reception data D1b.

Next, the CPU 13 calculates the direction of the tag 2 according to the position of the tag 2 (step 44), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 extracts input positions of the protrusion 262 detected within a predetermined range based on the newly detected contact position (newly detected input position of the protrusion 261), and extracts the input positions of the protrusion 262. , the direction of the newly detected tag 2 (for example, the direction in which the front direction of the tag 2 faces) is calculated.

Next, the CPU 13 sets the tag data acquired in the short-range wireless communication and the tag data indicating the arrangement direction of the tag (step 45), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 compares the shared data acquired by the short-range wireless communication in step 43 and determines that the tag 2 that has transmitted common shared data is the tag placed at the contact position. Based on the shared data transmitted by the tag 2 placed at the contact position, the CPU 13 determines that the tag 2 having the shared data is placed at the contact position. Shared data of tag 2 is stored in tag data D1c (tag contact position data Dac1 and tag shared data D1c3) and managed. Further, based on the direction of the tag 2 calculated in step 44, the CPU 13 sets that the tag 2 placed at the contact position is oriented in that direction, and stores data indicating the direction of the tag 2. It is stored and managed in the tag data D1c (tag direction data D1c2). When the tag contact position data D1c1 currently managed in the position data acquired in step 42 disappears, the CPU 13 replaces the tag data D1c managed by the tag contact position data D1c1 in step 44. may be erased. Further, if there is no tag 2 that has transmitted common data in the short-range wireless communication, the CPU 13 advances the processing to the next step without updating the tag data D1c.

Next, the CPU 13 determines whether or not to start the game (step 46). For example, the CPU 13 refers to the operation data acquired from the input unit 16 and determines to start the game when the user performs an operation to start the game using the input unit 16 . Then, when the game is to be started, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 47 . On the other hand, when not starting the game, the CPU 13 returns to step 42 and repeats the process.

In step 47, the CPU 13 acquires data on the operation instruction position (contact position) on the display screen of the display unit 17 from the input unit 16 (touch panel), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 acquires, from a touch panel provided on the surface of the display screen of the display unit 17, data indicating an input position with respect to the touch panel (positions where the projections 261 and 262 are in contact with the touch panel). The position data D1a is updated using the data indicating the input position.

Next, the CPU 13 determines whether or not there is a change in the data indicating the input position acquired in step 46 (step 48). For example, the CPU 13 compares the input position (the position where the protrusion 261 is in contact with the touch panel) acquired in step 46 and the contact position of each tag 2 managed by the tag contact position data D1c1, and is different, it is determined that there is a change in the data indicating the input position. Then, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 49 when there is a change in the data indicating the input position. On the other hand, if there is no change in the data indicating the input position, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 64 (see FIG. 14).

At step 49, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the data indicating the input position obtained at step 47 indicates a decrease in the input position. For example, the CPU 13 compares the input position (the position where the protrusion 261 is in contact with the touch panel) acquired in step 47 and the contact position of each tag 2 managed by the tag contact position data D1c1, and If the number of input positions acquired in step 47 is small, it is determined that the data indicating the input positions indicate a decrease in input positions. Then, when the data indicating the input position indicates a decrease in the input position, the CPU 13 advances the processing to step 50 . On the other hand, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 51 when the data indicating the input position does not indicate the decrease of the input position.

At step 50 , the CPU 13 erases the tag data relating to the reduced input position and proceeds to step 50 . For example, the CPU 13 extracts a contact position that is not included in the input position acquired in step 47 from the contact positions of the tags 2 managed by the tag contact position data D1c1, and determines that the contact position is located at the contact position. Delete the tag data D1c of the tag that has been deleted.

At step 51, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the data indicating the input position acquired at step 46 indicates an increase in the input position. For example, the CPU 13 compares the input position (the position where the protrusion 261 is in contact with the touch panel) acquired in step 47 and the contact position of each tag 2 managed by the tag contact position data D1c1, and If the number of input positions acquired in step 47 is large, it is determined that the data indicating the input positions indicate an increase in input positions. Then, when the data indicating the input position indicates an increase in the input position, the CPU 13 advances the processing to step 52 . On the other hand, if the data indicating the input position does not indicate an increase in the input position, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 61 (see FIG. 14).

At step 52, the CPU 13 performs reception processing according to the increased input position, and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 performs a process of receiving data from the tag 2 arranged with the increased input position as the contact position. Note that the reception processing performed in step 52 is the same as the reception processing in step 43 described above, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the CPU 13 calculates the direction of the tag 2 according to the position of the tag 2 (step 53), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 extracts input positions of the protrusion 262 detected within a predetermined range based on the increased input position (newly detected input position of the protrusion 261), and determines a direction connecting these positions. As a reference, the direction of the increased tag 2 (for example, the direction in which the front direction of the tag 2 faces) is calculated.

Next, the CPU 13 adds and manages the tag data obtained in the short-range wireless communication in step 51 and the tag data indicating the arrangement direction of the tag (step 54), and proceeds to step 61 (see FIG. 14). . For example, the CPU 13 determines that the tag 2 having the shared data is placed at the contact position based on the shared data transmitted by the tag 2 placed with the increased input position as the contact position. are added to tag data D1c (tag contact position data Dac1 and tag shared data D1c3) and managed. Further, based on the direction of the tag 2 calculated in step 53, the CPU 13 sets that the tag 2 placed at the contact position is oriented in that direction, and stores data indicating the direction of the tag 2. It is stored and managed in the tag data D1c (tag direction data D1c2). It should be noted that the CPU 13 advances the process to the next step without adding the tag data D1c when there is no tag 2 that has transmitted common data in the short-range wireless communication. In addition, when the tag 2 arranged with the increased input position as the contact position is assumed to be the tag that was erased in the immediately preceding step 50, the CPU 13 uses the erased tag data (tag contact Position data D1c1 and tag orientation data D1c2 may be changed) and tag data may be added.

Proceeding to FIG. 14, in step 61, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the data indicating the input position acquired in step 46 indicates movement and/or rotation of the input position. For example, the CPU 13 determines that any one of the positions where the protrusion 261 of each tag 2 is in contact with the touch panel, managed by the tag contact position data D1c1, has moved. indicates (for example, when an operation such as dragging the touch panel is performed), it is determined that the data indicating the input position indicates movement of the input position. In addition, the CPU 13 determines that any one of the positions at which the pair of protrusions 261 and 262 of each tag 2 is in contact with the touch panel managed by the tag contact position data D1c1 is determined by the input position acquired in step 46 above. When the tag 2 is rotated (for example, when an operation is performed to change the orientation of the tag 2 on the touch panel), the data indicating the input position indicates the rotation of the input position. Determine that there is. If the data indicating the input position indicates movement and/or rotation of the input position, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 62 . On the other hand, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 64 when the data indicating the input position indicates neither movement nor rotation of the input position.

In step 62, the CPU 13 uses the moved input position to update the contact position of the tag 2 (the position where the protrusions 261 and 262 are in contact with the touch panel), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 moves from the contact position of each tag 2 managed by the tag contact position data D1c1 (the position where the protrusion 261 is in contact with the touch panel) to the contact position determined in step 61 above. is extracted, the input position determined to be moving is set as the contact position, and the tag contact position data D1c1 of the tag 2 is updated.

Next, the CPU 13 calculates the direction of the tag 2 determined to have moved and/or rotated (step 63), and proceeds to step 64. FIG. For example, the CPU 13 extracts the input positions of the protrusion 262 detected within a predetermined range based on the contact position (input position of the protrusion 261) of the moved and/or rotated tag 2, and connects these positions. Based on the direction, the direction of the moved and/or rotated tag 2 is calculated. Then, the CPU 13 updates the tag orientation data D1c2 of the tag 2 using the orientation of the tag 2 that has been moved and/or rotated.

At step 64, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the current time is the timing for periodically checking the tag data. Then, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 65 when the present time is the timing for periodically checking the tag data. On the other hand, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 69 when the present time is not the timing for periodically checking the tag data.

In step 65, the CPU 13 acquires data on the operation instruction position (contact position) on the display screen of the display section 17 from the input section 16 (touch panel), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 acquires data indicating the input position on the touch panel from the touch panel provided on the surface of the display screen of the display unit 17, and updates the position data D1a using the data indicating the input position.

Next, the CPU 13 performs reception processing for all positions of the protrusion 261 among the input positions obtained in step 65 (step 66), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 performs a process of trying to receive data from each of the tags 2 placed at the positions of the protrusions 261 obtained in step 65 above. For example, the CPU 13 sequentially supplies power to an antenna corresponding to one of the positions of the protrusion 261 (an antenna capable of communicating with the tag 2 placed at that position), thereby causing an object placed at that position (for example, The short-range wireless communication with the tag 2) is attempted, and the short-range wireless communication is performed for each position of the protrusion 261 obtained in step 65 above. Note that the reception processing performed for each position in step 66 is the same as the reception processing in step 43 described above, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the CPU 13 calculates the direction of the tag 2 according to the position of the tag 2 (step 67), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 extracts the input positions of the protrusions 262 detected within a predetermined range based on the respective positions of the detected protrusions 261, and uses the direction connecting these positions as a reference to detect the detected tags. 2 directions are calculated.

Next, the CPU 13 updates the tag data D1c and the tag data indicating the arrangement direction of the tag using the data acquired in the short-range wireless communication (step 68), and proceeds to step 69. FIG. For example, the CPU 13 compares the shared data acquired by the short-range wireless communication in step 66 for each input position (each contact position), and the tag 2 that has transmitted common shared data is at the input position (contact position). It is determined that the tag is placed. Based on the shared data transmitted by the tag 2 placed at the contact position, the CPU 13 determines that the tag 2 having the shared data is placed at the contact position. Shared data of tag 2 is stored in tag data D1c (tag contact position data Dac1 and tag shared data D1c3) and managed. Further, based on the direction of the tag 2 calculated in step 67, the CPU 13 sets that the tag 2 placed at the contact position is oriented in that direction, and stores data indicating the direction of the tag 2. It is stored and managed in the tag data D1c (tag direction data D1c2). Such determination and data management are performed for each of all the input positions (positions of the protrusions 261) acquired in step 65 above, and finally all the tag data for each position of the protrusions 261 acquired in step 65 above. D1c is updated. Note that if there is no tag 2 that has transmitted shared data common to a certain input position in the short-range wireless communication, the CPU 13 does not set the tag data D1c corresponding to that input position.

At step 69, the CPU 13 performs game processing based on the managed tag data, and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 uses the contact position of each tag 2 (tag contact position data D1c1), the direction of each tag 2 (tag direction data D1c2), and shared data (tag shared data D1c3) stored in the tag data D1c. Then, the processing for progressing the game is performed according to the arrangement position, arrangement direction, type, and situation of each tag 2 .

Next, the CPU 13 performs display control processing based on the managed tag data (step 70), and proceeds to the next step. For example, the CPU 13 uses the contact position of each tag 2 (tag contact position data D1c1), the direction of each tag 2 (tag direction data D1c2), and shared data (tag shared data D1c3) stored in the tag data D1c. Then, a game image is generated according to the arrangement position, arrangement direction, type, situation, etc. of each tag 2 and displayed on the display unit 17 . For example, the CPU 13 generates an image showing a character or the like corresponding to the type of the arranged tag 2, makes it appear on the display screen of the display unit 17 at a position corresponding to the contact position of the tag 2, and displays the character in the arrangement direction. display in the appropriate direction.

Next, the CPU 13 determines whether or not to transmit data to the tag 2 (step 71). For example, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 72 when it is time to transmit data indicating the game result or situation to at least one tag 2 according to the progress of the game. On the other hand, the CPU 13 advances the process to step 73 when it is not the timing to transmit the data to the tag 2 .

At step 72 , the CPU 13 generates transmission data to be transmitted to the tag 2 , performs processing for transmitting the transmission data to the tag 2 , and advances the processing to step 73 . For example, the CPU 13 generates transmission data to be transmitted to the tag 2 and stores it in the transmission data D1e. Then, the CPU 13 refers to the tag data D1c, obtains the contact position of the tag 2 to which the generated transmission data is to be sent, and feeds the antenna capable of transmission to the tag 2 at the contact position. The transmission data is transmitted to the tag 2 which is the transmission destination. The transmission data stored in the transmission data D1e may be stored in the transmission data D1e before step 72 is executed.

At step 73, the CPU 13 determines whether or not to end the game. The condition for ending the game in step 73 is, for example, that the result of the game is confirmed, or that the user has performed an operation to end the game. If the game is not to be ended, the CPU 13 returns to step 47 and repeats the processing, and if the game is to be ended, the processing according to the flowchart is ended. Thereafter, a series of processes from step 47 to step 73 are repeatedly executed until it is determined at step 73 that the game is to be ended.

In the above description, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the touch panel detects the position of the set of the two protrusions 261 and 262 to detect the arrangement direction of the tag 2. The arrangement direction of the tag 2 may be detected depending on the method. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the arrangement direction of the tag 2 may be detected by forming one protrusion 264 and protrusions 263a to 263c on the bottom surface of the base 26 of the tag 2. FIG. Similar to the tag 2 shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of protrusions 263a to 263c are formed in sizes that cannot be detected by the touch panel. On the other hand, the protruding portion 264 is formed substantially in the center of the bottom surface of the tag 2, and is formed in a size that allows position detection by the touch panel when the bottom surface of the tag 2 is brought into contact with the touch panel input surface. . The projecting portion 264 has a shape of a figure (eg, a polygon, an arrow, a partial circular shape such as a semicircle or a quarter circle) in which a predetermined direction of the tag 2 (for example, the front of the tag 2) can be determined. is formed on the bottom surface of the In other words, by detecting the contact shape of the protrusion 264 with the touch panel, it is possible to detect the arrangement direction of the tag 2 on which the protrusion 264 is formed. As for the arrangement position of the tag 2, the center of gravity of the area in contact with the protrusion 264 may be used. In this way, even when one protrusion that can be detected via the touch panel is formed on the bottom surface of the pedestal 26 of the tag 2, the arrangement direction of the tag 2 can be detected. Needless to say, the arrangement direction of the tag 2 can be detected even when three or more protrusions that can be detected via the touch panel are formed on the bottom surface of the base 26 of the tag 2 .

Also, the arrangement direction of the tag 2 can be detected without using the position detection data from the touch panel. For example, the arrangement direction of the tag 2 may be detected by imaging the top or bottom of the tag 2, or the arrangement direction of the tag 2 may be detected by detecting the direction of the magnetic force or light emitted from the tag 2. good too. Note that when the arrangement direction of the tag 2 is detected without using position detection data from a touch panel, the present invention can be realized even if the information processing apparatus 1 is not equipped with a touch panel.

The data transmitted from the information processing device 1 to the tag 2 may be selected on the tag 2 side only for transmission data addressed to itself. For example, when the information processing device 1 assigns an ID (for example, a unique ID) that designates a transmission destination and transmits transmission data to the tag 2, and the same ID as the unique ID of its own device is assigned on the tag 2 side. Only get sent data. In this way, by selecting the transmission data on the tag 2 side, even if a plurality of tags 2 exist within a range communicable with one antenna, only the tag 2 selected from the plurality of tags 2 is selected. It is possible to send transmission data to In order to perform processing for selecting the transmission data on the tag 2 side, for example, a processing unit, that is, a CPU or the like may be installed in the tag 2 .

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when short-range wireless communication is performed between the information processing device 1 and the tag 2, the information processing device 1 serves as the initiator-side wireless communication device that generates an electromotive force in the tag 2 by electromagnetic induction. Although an example is used in which the tag 2 functions as a wireless communication device that is a target of the information processing device 1 during short-range wireless communication, the short-range wireless communication may be performed in another manner. For example, the tag 2 may be a device having power supply and NFC card emulation functions, or only the tag 2 or both the information processing device 1 and the tag 2 may be devices having card emulation functions. In this case, since the tag 2 can function as a wireless communication device on the initiator side, the data transmitted from the tag 2 is used as a trigger to determine the contact position of the tag 2 that transmitted the data, and the data indicated by the tag 2 is determined. Aspects of managing information and contact locations are also possible.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, short-range wireless communication (proximity non-contact communication) in which the information processing device 1 and the tag 2 are brought close to perform wireless communication based on the NFC standard is used as an example. It may be applied to an information processing system that performs short-range wireless communication based on For example, in non-contact short-range wireless communication, the present invention can be applied to an information processing system that performs wireless communication at communication distances classified into proximity type, remote type, short-range type, etc., in addition to proximity type. can be applied. Further, the information processing device 1 and the tag 2 may be any devices, such as a stationary game device, a portable game device, a general personal computer, any portable electronic device (PDA ( (Personal Digital Assistant), mobile phone, personal computer, camera, etc.), or an information processing system that performs wireless communication by combining a device and an electronic key.

Also, in the above description, an example in which communication processing and information processing are performed by the information processing device 1 and the tag 2 is used, but at least part of the above processing steps may be performed by another device. For example, when the information processing device 1 is configured to be able to communicate with another device (for example, another server, another image display device, another game device, another mobile terminal), the above processing steps further include It may be performed by the other device cooperating. In this way, by performing at least part of the above processing steps in another device, processing similar to the processing described above becomes possible. Further, the communication processing and information processing described above can be executed by one processor included in an information processing system constituted by at least one information processing device or by cooperation between a plurality of processors. In the above-described embodiment, communication processing and information processing can be performed by the CPU 13 of the information processing device 1 executing a predetermined program. Part or all may be performed.

Here, according to the modified example described above, it is possible to realize the present invention in a system form of so-called cloud computing or a system form of distributed wide area network and local network. For example, in a distributed local network system configuration, a stationary information processing device (stationary game device) and a portable information processing device (portable game device) cooperate to execute the above processing. It is also possible to It goes without saying that in these system configurations, there is no particular limitation as to which device performs the above-described processing, and the present invention can be realized regardless of how the processing is shared.

Further, the processing order, set values, conditions used for determination, and the like used in the above-described information processing are merely examples, and needless to say, the present embodiment can be realized with other orders, values, and conditions.

Moreover, the program may not only be supplied to the information processing apparatus 1 through an external storage medium such as an external memory, but may also be supplied to the apparatus through a wired or wireless communication line. Further, the program may be recorded in advance in a non-volatile storage device inside the device. In addition to non-volatile memory, information storage media for storing the above programs include CD-ROMs, DVDs, optical disk storage media similar to them, flexible disks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, magnetic tapes, and the like. It's okay. Further, the information storage medium for storing the program may be a volatile memory for storing the program. Such a storage medium can be called a computer-readable recording medium. For example, by causing a computer or the like to read and execute the programs stored in these recording media, the various functions described above can be provided.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, the foregoing description is merely illustrative of the invention in all respects and is not intended to limit its scope. It goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is understood that the invention is to be construed in scope only by the claims. Moreover, it is understood that those skilled in the art can implement the equivalent range based on the description of the present invention and common technical knowledge from the description of specific examples of the present invention. Also, it should be understood that the terms used in this specification have the meanings commonly used in the relevant field unless otherwise specified. Thus, unless defined otherwise, all technical and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification (including definitions) will control.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention aims to enable processing using the orientation of an information storage medium that performs short-range wireless communication with an information processing device. It can be used as a program, an information processing method, and the like.

1... Information processing device 2... Storage medium (tag)
21 Read-only area 22 Read/write area 26 Pedestal 261, 262, 263, 264 Protrusion 11 Communication unit 110 Antenna switching switches 111 to 130, 141 to 149 Antenna 12 Communication chip 13 CPU
14... Memory 15... Program storage unit 16... Input unit 17... Display unit

Claims (13)

An information processing system including a plurality of information storage media and an information processing device that performs short-range wireless communication with the plurality of information storage media,
Each of the plurality of information storage media includes a detected part,
The information processing device is
at least one antenna coil;
a touch panel that detects a contact position of an object with respect to a predetermined surface provided near the antenna coil;
an information acquisition unit that reads information from the information storage medium in proximity to the antenna coil by performing short-range wireless communication with each of the information storage media via the antenna coil;
an orientation detection unit that detects the orientation of each of the information storage media arranged on the predetermined surface based on the contact position where the detected portion contacts the touch panel;
a position detection unit that detects the arrangement position of each of the information storage media arranged on the predetermined surface based on the contact position where the detected part contacts the touch panel;
an information processing unit that performs predetermined processing using the information read from the information storage medium and the orientation and arrangement position of the information storage medium,
The information processing unit performs an attack between characters corresponding to each of the information storage media based on the arrangement position and orientation of each of the plurality of information storage media, and the attack effect based on the orientation of the information storage medium is determined. When another information storage medium is arranged in the direction in which it can be obtained, a game process in which the character corresponding to the different information storage medium receives the attack effect is performed as the predetermined process, and an image related to the predetermined process is displayed. An information processing system that generates and displays the image on a display screen. The touch panel is capable of detecting a plurality of contact positions with respect to the predetermined surface,
each of the plurality of information storage media includes a plurality of the detected parts,
2. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein said orientation detection unit detects the orientation of said information storage medium based on the contact position where each of said plurality of detected portions of said information storage medium contacts said touch panel. system. The orientation detection unit detects a plurality of sets of the detected parts each included in the information storage medium, and based on a contact position of each set on the touch panel, the information storage medium having the detected parts of the set. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the orientation of the is detected. The touch panel is an optical touch panel,
The detected portion has a protrusion that protrudes toward the predetermined surface when the information storage medium is placed on the predetermined surface,
4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the orientation detection unit detects the orientation of the information storage medium on which the protrusion is formed, based on a contact position with the protrusion detected by the touch panel. Information processing system as described. The touch panel is a capacitive touch panel,
The detected part is conductive and provided on the predetermined surface side when the information storage medium is placed on the predetermined surface,
4. The orientation detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the orientation detection unit detects the orientation of the information storage medium having the detected portion based on the position of the conductive detected portion detected by the touch panel. The information processing system according to . The predetermined surface is the display screen,
The orientation detection unit detects the orientation of the information storage medium placed on the display screen,
6. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said position detection unit detects a position of said information storage medium arranged on said display screen. The information processing unit generates an image of a type corresponding to the identification information of the information storage medium, directed in a direction based on the orientation of the information storage medium at a position based on the arrangement position of the information storage medium, and 7. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image is displayed on a display screen. The information storage medium has a figure-shaped appearance corresponding to the character,
8. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said information processing section displays on a display screen an image of a character corresponding to said figure based on information read from said information storage medium. . 9. The information processing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, if the another information storage medium is not arranged in a direction in which the attack effect can be obtained, the information processing unit renders the character corresponding to the another information storage medium unattackable. The information processing system according to any one of the above. The information processing section performs a game process of moving an object from the position of the information storage medium toward the direction in which the attack effect of the information storage medium is obtained, based on the direction and position of the information storage medium. 10. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. An information processing device that performs short-range wireless communication with a plurality of information storage media,
Each of the plurality of information storage media includes a detected part,
at least one antenna coil;
a touch panel that detects a contact position of an object with respect to a predetermined surface provided near the antenna coil;
an information acquisition unit that reads information from the information storage medium in proximity to the antenna coil by performing short-range wireless communication with each of the information storage media via the antenna coil;
an orientation detection unit that detects the orientation of each of the information storage media arranged on the predetermined surface based on the contact position where the detected portion contacts the touch panel;
a position detection unit that detects the arrangement position of each of the information storage media arranged on the predetermined surface based on the contact position where the detected part contacts the touch panel;
an information processing unit that performs predetermined processing using the information read from the information storage medium and the orientation and arrangement position of the information storage medium,
The information processing unit performs an attack between characters corresponding to each of the information storage media based on the arrangement position and orientation of each of the plurality of information storage media, and the attack effect based on the orientation of the information storage medium is determined. When another information storage medium is arranged in the direction in which it can be obtained, a game process in which the character corresponding to the different information storage medium receives the attack effect is performed as the predetermined process, and an image related to the predetermined process is displayed. An information processing device that generates and displays the image on a display screen. An information processing program executed by a computer included in an information processing device that performs near-field wireless communication with a plurality of information storage media,
Each of the plurality of information storage media includes a detected part,
The information processing device is
at least one antenna coil;
a touch panel for detecting a contact position of an object with respect to a predetermined surface provided near the antenna coil;
the computer,
information acquisition means for reading information from the information storage medium in the vicinity of the antenna coil by performing short-range wireless communication with each of the information storage media via the antenna coil;
orientation detection means for detecting the orientation of each of the information storage media arranged on the predetermined surface based on the contact position where the detected portion contacts the touch panel;
position detection means for detecting the arrangement position of each of the information storage media arranged on the predetermined surface based on the contact position where the detected portion contacts the touch panel;
By using the information read from the information storage medium and the orientation and arrangement position of the information storage medium, functioning as information processing means for performing a predetermined process,
The information processing means performs an attack between characters corresponding to each of the plurality of information storage media based on the arrangement position and orientation of each of the plurality of information storage media, and the attack effect based on the orientation of the information storage medium is determined. When another information storage medium is arranged in the direction in which it can be obtained, a game process in which the character corresponding to the different information storage medium receives the attack effect is performed as the predetermined process, and an image related to the predetermined process is displayed. An information processing program that generates and displays the image on a display screen. An information processing method for performing short-range wireless communication with a plurality of information storage media,
Each of the plurality of information storage media includes a detected part,
an information acquisition step of reading out information from the information storage medium in proximity to the antenna coil by performing short-range wireless communication with each of the information storage media via at least one antenna coil;
The orientation of each of the information storage media arranged on the predetermined surface is detected based on the contact position where the detected portion touches a touch panel that detects the contact position of the object with respect to the predetermined surface provided near the antenna coil. an orientation detection step;
a position detection step of detecting the arrangement position of each of the information storage media arranged on the predetermined surface based on the contact position where the detected portion contacts the touch panel;
an information processing step of performing a predetermined process using the information read from the information storage medium and the orientation and arrangement position of the information storage medium;
In the information processing step, an attack is performed between characters corresponding to each of the plurality of information storage media based on the arrangement position and orientation of each of the plurality of information storage media, and an attack effect based on the orientation of the information storage medium is performed. When another information storage medium is arranged in the direction in which it is obtained, game processing is performed as the predetermined processing in which the character corresponding to the another information storage medium receives the attack effect, and an image related to the predetermined processing is performed. is generated and the image is displayed on a display screen.

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