JP2000148355A - Walking state detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the walking speed or walking direction of a player without forcing a load upon the player by allowing a calculating means to detect the walking speed of a subject from detection results of a first sensor and a second sensor. SOLUTION: When a CPU circuit performs image output, image data written in a screen memory are read, a monitor 3 converts them into a visible image and displays it. A player operates an operation device 2 and advances a game while looking at the visible image 3 on the monitor. The operation device 2 is provided with two pairs of pressure sensors 21a to 21b and 22a to 22b. The pressure sensors 21a to 21b detect pressures that both right and left feet of the player on the right side facing the monitor 3 give. It is possible to detect the walking speed or walking direction of the player from these pressure sensors 21a to 21b and 22a to 22b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a walking state detecting device most suitable for a video game device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been no walking state detecting device suitable for connecting to a conventional video game device.

[0003]

However, if the video game device can detect the walking speed and the walking direction of the player, an interactive game can be developed. In particular, if the walking speed and the walking direction can be detected from the state of the player's feet, the player will play using the whole body, so that a game full of a sense of realism and tension can be developed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to detect a walking speed and a walking direction of a player without imposing a burden on the player.

[0005]

In order to achieve this object, a walking state detecting device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a first sensor and a second sensor for detecting that a subject's foot has been placed, and a first sensor. And a calculating means to which the detection result of the second sensor is supplied, wherein the calculating means detects the walking speed of the subject from the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor.

A walking state detecting device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that:
In the above, further comprising a third sensor and a fourth sensor for detecting that the subject's foot is placed, the calculating means,
The walking direction of the subject is detected from the detection results of the third sensor and the fourth sensor.

A third aspect of the present invention is a walking state detecting device.
Alternatively, in claim 2, the first to fourth sensors are pressure sensors.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a walking state detecting device.
Alternatively, in claim 2, the first to fourth sensors are on / off switches.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a walking state detecting device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the video game machine includes an operation device 2 and a monitor 3 with a control device 1 at the center. The operation device 2 is connected to the control device 1 (input / output control circuit 6), and is a device operated by a player, such as a joystick, a button, and a switch. The monitor 3 converts the image output signal of the control device 1 into a visible image and displays it.

The control device 1 comprises an input / output control circuit 6, a CPU
It comprises a circuit 7, a screen memory 14, and the like. The input / output control circuit 6 detects a state in which the player operates a joystick, a button, a switch, or the like (the operation device 2), and transmits the state to the CPU circuit 7. CPU circuit 7
Is transmitted and received via the system bus 8.
The work memory 9 is used as a work area of the CPU circuit 7. The program of the CPU circuit 7 is stored in the program memory 10. The character memory 12 stores character data to be displayed on the monitor 3 by writing to the screen memory 14.

When the CPU circuit 7 outputs an image,
Image data is written to the screen memory 14 via the system bus 8. The monitor 3 reads out the image data written in the screen memory 14, converts it into a visible image, and displays it. The player operates the operation device 2 while watching the visible image on the monitor 3 to advance the game.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the walking state detecting device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the operating device 2 is provided with two sets of pressure sensors 21a to 21b and 22a to 22b. The pressure sensors 21a to 21b are connected to the monitor 3
To detect the pressure applied by both the left and right feet of the player on the left side. The pressure sensors 22a to 22b detect the pressure applied by the right and left feet of the right player toward the monitor 3, respectively. Two sets of pressure sensors 21a-
21b and 22a to 22b have the same configuration and will be redundantly described.
Only 1b will be described.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the player's left foot is in the air, and the pressure sensor 21b is pressed by the player's right foot to detect pressure. FIG. 3B shows a state in which the player's right foot is in the air, and the pressure sensor 21a is pressed by the player's left foot to detect pressure. Similarly, FIG. 3C shows a state in which the player's left foot is in the air, and the pressure sensor 21b is stepped on by the player's right foot to detect pressure. FIG. 3 (d)
The player's right foot is in the air, and the pressure sensor 21a is depressed with the player's left foot to detect pressure. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the pressure sensor 21a or 21
“b” indicates a state in which pressure is detected.

In FIG. 3, the walking speed can be detected by detecting the speed corresponding to FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d). The detection of the walking speed is performed by a program of the CPU circuit 7. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program of the CPU circuit 7.

When the program is started, first, in step S1, the walking buttons (pressure sensors 21a to 21a)
21b) Check the "stop" state where is pressed. In step S2, a walk button (pressure sensors 21a to 21a)
b) Check that both feet are pressed. In step S3, the walking flag is checked. Step S
At 4, it is determined whether the released walking button is right or left. If it is determined to be right, it is confirmed in step S5 that the right walking button (pressure sensor 21b) has been pressed, and
Move to 7. If it is determined to be left, it is confirmed in step S6 that the left walking button (pressure sensor 21a) has been pressed, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7,
Check the timer. The result of the check is determined in steps S8 to S10.

In step S8, 1/60 seconds to 30 /
Walk buttons (pressure sensors 21a to
It is determined whether or not 21b) is pressed, and step S12 is performed.
Alternatively, the process proceeds to S13. In step S9, 31/6
It is determined whether or not the walking buttons (pressure sensors 21a to 21b) are pressed at intervals of 0 to 59/60 seconds,
The process moves to step S12 or S13. Step S1
0, the walk button (pressure sensor 2
It is determined whether or not 1a to 21b) has been pressed, and the process proceeds to step S12 or S13. Step S1
In step 2, after one step is advanced, the walking flag is set to the right foot (step S14), and the process returns to step S3. Step S
In step 13, after advancing one step, the walking flag is set to the left foot (step S15), and the process returns to step S3.

FIGS. 6 to 10 are perspective views showing a second embodiment of the walking state detecting device according to the present invention. In the figure, FIG.
2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The second embodiment is an embodiment in which a function of detecting a posture (direction) of a player and the like are added to the function of detecting a walking speed of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 6, the operating device 2 includes a monitor 3
To detect the walking state of two players left and right toward
Sets of pressure sensors 21a-21d and 22a-22d
Are provided respectively. Two sets of pressure sensors 21
a to 21b and 22a to 22b have the same configuration,
In the following, the pressure sensor 21a
Only 21d will be described.

The pressure sensors 21a to 21b are connected to the monitor 3
To detect the pressure on the left and right feet of the player on the left side. Further, the pressure sensors 21c to 21d detect the pressure applied by the player's right foot or left foot.

FIG. 7A shows a state in which the pressure sensor 21 is stepped on with the left and right feet of the player when starting or stopping.
a or 21b shows a state in which pressure is detected. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the player's right foot is in the air, and the pressure sensor 21c is pressed by the player's left foot to detect pressure. FIG. 7C shows a state in which the player's left foot is in the air, and the pressure sensor 21d is stepped on by the player's right foot to detect pressure. FIG.
(D) shows a state where the pressure sensor 21a or 21b detects the pressure by stepping on both left and right feet of the player (a state in which no processing is performed in the second embodiment).

FIG. 7E shows a state in which the player's right foot is in the air, and the pressure sensor 21a detects the pressure by stepping on the player's left foot. FIG. 7F shows a state in which the player's left foot is in the air, and the pressure sensor 21b is pressed by the player's right foot to detect pressure. FIG. 7G illustrates a state in which the pressure sensor 21a is stepped on with the left foot of the player and the pressure sensor 21d is stepped on with the right foot of the player to detect pressure (the player is facing left). FIG. 7H shows the pressure sensor 21.
c indicates a state in which the player has stepped on the left foot, and the pressure sensor 21b has been stepped on the player's right foot to detect pressure (the player is facing right).

FIG. 7 (i) shows a state where the pressure sensor 21a is stepped on with the player's left foot and the pressure sensor 21c is stepped on with the player's right foot to detect pressure (the player is facing left). FIG. 7 (j) shows that the pressure sensor 21d is stepped on by the left foot of the player and the pressure sensor 2d is pressed.
1b shows a state where the player has stepped on the right foot and detected pressure (the player is facing right). FIG. 7 (k)
Indicates a state in which none of the pressure sensors 21a to 21d detects pressure (a state in which no processing is performed in the second embodiment). Note that FIG. 7 (k) can be obtained by detecting a state in which the player is jumping.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a program of the CPU circuit 7 in the second embodiment. The program is called and started from a main routine (not shown). The program checks the direction buttons (pressure sensors 21c to 21d) in step S100, and walks (pressure sensors 21a to 21) in step S200.
Check b) and end.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of step S100 (FIG. 8).

When the program starts, step S
At 101, it is confirmed that the walking button (the pressure sensors 21a to 21b) is in a "stop" state where the button is pressed. In step S102, the walking buttons (the pressure sensors 21a to 21a)
21b) determines whether "both feet" is pressed. If the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to "go one step" (the flowchart of FIG. 4). If not pressed, step S1
Shift to 03. In step S103, it is determined whether or not the direction buttons (pressure sensors 21c to 21d) have been pressed. If it has been pressed, the process moves to step S104. If not, the process returns to step S102.

In step S104, it is determined which of the left and right direction buttons (pressure sensors 21c to 21d) has been pressed. Right button (Pressure sensors 21c-21)
If d) has been pressed, it turns right (step S10).
5) Return to step S102. When the left direction buttons (pressure sensors 21c to 21d) have been pressed, they turn to the left (step S106) and return to step S102.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the details of step S200 (FIG. 8).

When the program starts, step S
201 is a two-legged walking button (pressure sensors 21a-21)
b) Check that the "stop" state is being pressed. In step S202, a walk button (pressure sensor 2
1a to 21b) determine whether or not "both feet" are pressed. If not, the process moves to step S203. If it has been pressed, the process moves to step S204.

In step S203, it is determined whether or not the direction buttons (pressure sensors 21c to 21d) have been pressed. If it has been pressed, the process moves to step S100 (FIG. 9). If not, the process returns to step S202.

In step S204, a walking flag is checked. In step S205, it is determined whether the released walking button is right or left. If right, step S206
The process proceeds to step S209 if left.

In step S206, it is determined whether the right walking button (pressure sensor 21a) has been pressed.
If not, the process moves to step S203. If the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S207 and proceeds one step. In step S208, the walking flag is set to the right foot, and the process returns to step S204.

In step S209, it is determined whether or not the left walking button (pressure sensor 21b) has been pressed.
If not, the process moves to step S203. If the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S210 and proceeds one step. In step S211, the walking flag is set to the left foot, and the process returns to step S204.

[0036]

As described above, according to the walking state detecting device of the present invention, the walking speed and the walking direction of the player can be obtained from the sensor for detecting that the foot of the subject has been placed without imposing a burden on the player. Can be detected, so that an interactive game can be developed.

Further, since the walking speed and the walking direction can be detected from the state of the player's feet, the player can play with the whole body and can develop a game full of a sense of realism and tension. Become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block connection diagram showing a first embodiment of a walking state detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a walking state detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a first embodiment of a walking state detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a first embodiment of a walking state detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a walking state detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the walking state detecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a second embodiment of the walking state detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the walking state detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the walking state detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the walking state detection device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 control device 2 operating device 3 monitor 6 input / output control circuit 7 CPU circuit 8 system bus 9 work memory 10 program memory 12 character memory 14 screen memory 21a pressure sensor 21b pressure sensor 21c pressure sensor 21d pressure sensor 22a pressure sensor 22b pressure sensor 22c Pressure sensor 22d Pressure sensor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first method for detecting that a foot of a subject is placed
A sensor and a second sensor, and calculation means to which detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor are supplied, wherein the calculation means calculates a walking speed of the subject based on the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor. A walking state detecting device for detecting a walking state. 2. A third method for detecting that the subject's foot has been placed.
The walking state detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor and a fourth sensor, wherein the calculation unit detects a walking direction of the subject from detection results of the third sensor and the fourth sensor. 3. The walking state detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the first to fourth sensors are pressure sensors. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first to fourth sensors are on / off switches.
Alternatively, the walking state detecting device according to claim 2.