JP2001071289A - Device and method for information processing and program storing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To issue an instruction for a robot and an electric pet with the same operation. SOLUTION: A personal computer 1 displays an electronic pet, to provide an instruction and provide an instruction for a robot 3 as well. An instruction issued while the electronic pet is displayed on the personal computer 1 is directed to the electronic pet, an instruction issued while the electronic pet is covered with a cap, and is not visible is directed to the robot 3. A user can see the displayed state to recognize whether his instruction to be issued will be directed to the electronic pet or to the robot 3, and provide a necessary instruction as an audio signal for the personal computer 1. If an instruction corresponding to the result for analyzing the audio signal is directed to the robot 3, a signal corresponding to the analyzed result is transmitted to the robot 3. If the instruction is directed to the electronic pet, the display is changed according to the instruction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program storage medium. Information processing apparatus and method for allowing a user to recognize whether an instruction to an electronic pet or an instruction to a robot,
And a program storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Robot pets made by copying dogs and the like and pets called electronic pets bred in a virtual space are becoming widespread. Robot-type pets
It is operated by an attached remote controller or the like, and operates by recognizing voice. The electronic pet is operated by selecting a desired instruction from the displayed menu.

[0003]

However, when operating a robot-type pet using a remote controller, there is a problem that the operation of the remote controller must be remembered. However, there is a problem that the voice is not recognized even if called from a distance, and the recognition rate is poor even if called from a nearby place.

In the case of an electronic pet, a user displays an electronic pet from a menu displayed on a display such as a personal computer and displayed on the same screen on the display. There was a problem that the intimacy was difficult to understand. Also, when giving an instruction to the electronic pet and the robot by the same operation, the instruction given to the electronic pet is executed by the robot, or conversely, the instruction given to the robot is There was also a problem that inconvenience occurred, such as execution of an electronic pet.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an instruction can be issued to an electronic pet and a robot by the same operation, and the instruction can be given by voice. By allowing the user to recognize whether the instruction is for the robot or for the electronic pet, the user can be familiar with the robot and the electronic pet as well as being easy to use. The purpose is to provide a user interface.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided for a virtual life object bred in a virtual space or a pseudo life object bred in a real space. Input means for inputting a command for operation, switching means for switching whether the command input by the input means is for a virtual life object or for a pseudo life object, and a command input by the input means Is for a virtual life object, the display control means for controlling the display of the virtual life object corresponding to the command, and when the command input by the input means is for a pseudo life object, it corresponds to the command. A signal that sends a signal to a simulated life object Characterized in that it comprises a means.

[0007] The input means can input a command by a voice signal.

[0008] The signal transmitted by the transmitting means may be a scale signal.

[0009] The names of the virtual life object and the pseudo life object can be given by a user.

[0010] The information processing method according to claim 5, wherein the virtual life object bred in the virtual space is
Alternatively, an input step of inputting a command for performing a predetermined operation on a pseudo-life object bred in a real space, and the command input in the processing of the input step is for a virtual life object,
A switching step of switching whether the command is for a pseudo life object, and a display control step for controlling display of a virtual life object corresponding to the command when the command input in the processing of the input step is for a virtual life object. And transmitting the signal corresponding to the command to the pseudo-life object if the command input in the processing of the input step is for the pseudo-life object.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a program for executing a predetermined operation on a virtual life object bred in a virtual space or a pseudo life object bred in a real space is provided. Input step, a switching step of switching whether a command input in the processing of the input step is for a virtual life object or a pseudo life object, and a command input in the processing of the input step. Is a virtual life object, a display control step of controlling the display of the virtual life object corresponding to the command,
When the command input in the processing of the input step is for a pseudo-life object, a transmission control step for performing control when transmitting a signal corresponding to the command to the pseudo-life object is provided. .

An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
In the information processing method according to the above, the command to be input is switched between a command for a virtual life object and a command for a pseudo life object, and the input command is When the command is for a virtual life object, the display of the virtual life object corresponding to the command is controlled. When the input command is for the pseudo life object, the signal corresponding to the command is transmitted to the pseudo life object. Sent.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an information processing system to which the present invention is applied. The personal computer 1 controls operations of an electronic pet and the robot 3 described later. The remote commander 2 is used when controlling the robot 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the personal computer 1. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 of the personal computer 1 has a ROM (Rea
d Only Memory) 12 executes various processes according to the program stored in the memory. RAM (Random Access Memor
y) 13 stores data and programs necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes as appropriate. The input / output interface 14 includes a keyboard 15 and a mouse 1
The signal input from 6 is output to the CPU 11. The input / output interface 14 is also connected to a storage unit 17 composed of a hard disk or the like, in which data and programs are recorded and reproduced as appropriate.

A display 18 as a display device is connected to the input / output interface 14, and a communication unit 19 is also connected thereto.
Communication can be performed by light, infrared light, or the like. Further, the input / output interface 14 includes a microphone 20 for capturing audio, a video camera 21 for capturing images,
And a speaker 22 for emitting sound. The drive 23 is also connected to the input / output interface 14,
Data is exchanged with a floppy (registered trademark) disk (not shown). The internal bus 24 connects these components to each other.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the personal computer 1. The personal computer 1 shown in FIG. 3 is a so-called notebook personal computer, and shows a state in which the notebook personal computer is opened. A microphone 20 and a video camera 21 are provided above the display 18.
Is provided. The video camera 21 is rotatably attached to the display 18 by 180 degrees. A speaker 22 is provided above the keyboard 15.
Is provided.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the remote commander 2. The key 41 mainly includes a plurality of keys indicating a scale. The speaker 42 emits a sound corresponding to the scale input by the key 41. CPU 43
Based on the program and data stored in OM44,
For example, the operated key 41 is analyzed, and the speaker 42 emits a sound based on the analyzed scale. RA
In M45, necessary data writing and reading are performed as needed. The internal bus 46 connects these components to each other.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the robot 3. The CPU 61 of the robot 3 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 62. RAM63
The CPU 61 appropriately stores data, programs, and the like necessary for the CPU 61 to execute various processes. The input / output interface 64 is connected to a plurality of sensors 65 serving as eyes and the like, and outputs signals input thereto to the CPU 61. The input / output interface 6
4 includes a storage unit 66 composed of a hard disk or the like.
Is also connected, and data and programs can be recorded and reproduced there.

The input / output interface 64 is also connected to a communication section 67, which communicates with the personal computer 1 and the remote controller 3 by radio waves, light, infrared rays, and the like. Further, to the input / output interface 64, a microphone 68 for taking in sound and a speaker 69 for emitting sound are connected. The motor 70 is also connected to the input / output interface 64, and operates the movement unit 71 corresponding to the arm or foot of the robot 3 according to an instruction from the CPU 61. The internal bus 72 connects these components to each other.

Here, a case where the robot 3 is controlled by the remote commander 2 will be described. ROM 3 of robot 3
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a robot control unit 81 that controls the robot 3 itself by controlling the operation of the motor 70 of the robot 3 and a scale detection unit that analyzes the voice captured by the microphone 69 82 are stored.

The control of the robot 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The robot 3 can be controlled by the remote commander 2 (by the user), and independently of the control, can determine its own operation and operate (referred to as an internal event). . Therefore, in step S1, the CPU 61
It is determined whether or not an internal event has occurred, in other words, whether or not an operation has been commanded internally, independently of external control. The generation of this internal event is generated according to the processing of the flowchart of FIG.

In step S11, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. The CPU 61 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed by counting a predetermined time from the time when the operation is performed according to an instruction from the outside or the inside. Until it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed,
The process of step S11 is repeated, and when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, a random number is generated. Then, in step S13, an event corresponding to the random number generated in step S12 is extracted from the event list.

The event list is, for example, a list in which command contents (operation contents), random numbers, and musical scales are associated with each other as shown in Table 1 below. In addition,
The musical scale indicates a musical scale as a command issued by the remote commander 2. The following Table 1 is a part, and other commands can be added.

[0024] The scales in Table 1 are indicated by alphabets.
C, D, E, F, G, A, B are de, les,
Represents mi, fa, so, la, si, and # (sharp) indicates increasing the chromatic scale.

In step S13, a command corresponding to the generated random number is extracted. The processing corresponding to the command thus extracted is executed by the robot control unit 81 in step S2 (FIG. 7).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that no internal event has occurred, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the scale detecting section 82 determines whether or not the audio signal has been received by the microphone 68. If it is determined in step S3 that an audio signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined that an audio signal has not been received, the process returns to step S1,
Subsequent processing is repeated.

In step S4, the scale detecting section 82
Detects the scale from the received audio signal. Then, in step S5, it is determined whether the detected scale is a scale command. In other words, the microphone 68 of the robot 3 is not limited to the scale command transmitted from the remote commander 2,
It takes in various sounds. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a process of extracting only the scale command from the captured sound (voice). In addition, the user does not always operate the key 41 constituting the voice command, but may operate the wrong key 41, and a process of determining whether or not the command is a scale command is required.

If it is determined in step S5 that the command is a scale command, the process proceeds to step S6. If it is determined that the command is not a scale command, the process returns to step S1 and the subsequent processes are repeated. In step S6, a command corresponding to the detected scale command is:
Processing extracted from the above-described Table 1 and corresponding to the extracted command is executed. Thus, robot 3
Executes an internally generated event and also executes an externally generated event. The user can obtain a feeling as if the robot 3 is alive by seeing the process corresponding to the internally generated event, and the event generated externally, that is, by the user, By executing the processing corresponding to the generated event, it is possible to obtain a feeling of playing with the robot 3.

The operation of the remote commander 2 for generating an external event will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S21, the CPU 43 of the remote commander 2 determines whether there is an input from the key 41. The process of step S21 is repeated until it is determined that an input has been made from the key 41.

If it is determined in step S21 that an input has been made from the key 41, the process proceeds to step S22, where a scale command corresponding to the input key 41 is issued from the speaker 42. The scale command issued in this manner is received by the microphone 68 of the robot 3 so that the above-described processing is performed by the robot 3
Is executed by

As described above, the robot 3 can be controlled by the remote command 2 and also by the personal computer 1. The storage unit 17 of the personal computer 1 stores a plurality of applications, such as one for controlling the robot 3, one for voice recognition, and one for controlling an electronic pet. FIG. 10 shows a functional block diagram when these applications are started. The electronic pet is a pet bred in the virtual space of the personal computer 1.

The electronic pet control unit 101 controls the operation of the electronic pet (controls the display of the electronic pet displayed on the display 18). The voice commander 102 performs a process according to the recognition result from the voice recognition engine 103. The speech recognition engine 103 reads a recognition word or grammar registered in advance from the recognition word / grammar 104 for the engine, recognizes a voice input by the user from the microphone 20 against the read word or grammar, and recognizes a voice commander 102. The recognition result is output to

For example, when the user uses the microphone 20
When the user inputs "startup of the electronic pet control unit", the speech recognition engine 103 outputs the engine recognition word / grammar 10
The word read from step 4 is compared with the grammar to recognize that "startup of the electronic pet control unit" has been input. The voice command 102 receives the recognition result, and starts up the electronic pet control unit 101 as a process corresponding to the received command. Thus, the voice commander 10
In a state where 2 is started, the user starts (starts) a desired application such as the electronic pet control unit 101 by inputting an audio signal.
be able to.

Here, first, as a state before the application of the electronic pet control unit 101 and the voice command 102 is started, a process from when the personal computer 1 is turned on and a predetermined operation system is started will be described. FIG. 11 shows the display 18 in a state where a predetermined operation system has been started.
The above display example is shown.

On the display 18, four icons I _{1 to} I ₄ and a cursor 111 are displayed. In this state, the user operates the cursor 111 using the mouse 16, and clicks the icon I ₁ corresponding to the voice commander 102. When the voice commander 102 starts up by such processing, the voice commander UI is displayed on the display 18 as shown in FIG.
(User Interface) 121 is displayed.

The voice commander UI 121 displays a recognition result display section 122 for displaying a recognition result when the voice input from the microphone 20 is recognized, and indicates whether or not a voice input is possible. Recognition status display section 12
And 3.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the voice commander 102. In step S31, it is determined whether or not the icon corresponding to the voice commander 102 (icon I ₁ in this case) has been operated.
If it is determined that the operation has been performed, the voice commander UI 121 as described above is displayed on the display 18, and the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, it is determined whether the control (Ctrl) key has been operated. In the present embodiment, the fact that the user speaks into the microphone 20 while the control key is being operated as the predetermined key of the keyboard 15 is processed as an instruction (command) from the user. Therefore, the voice commander 102 is in a standby state until the control key is operated.

If it is determined in step S32 that the control key has been operated, the flow advances to step S33, and the voice commander 102 issues a voice recognition request to the voice recognition engine 103. Here, the operation of the speech recognition engine 103 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The voice recognition engine 103 proceeds to step S5
In step 1, it is determined whether a voice recognition request has been received from the voice commander 102. The process of step S51 is repeated until it is determined that a voice recognition request has been received from the voice commander 102. If it is determined that a voice recognition request has been received, the process proceeds to step S52. In step S52,
The voice signal of the user input from the microphone 20 is fetched, applied to the word and grammar obtained from the engine recognition word / grammar 104, and the fetched voice signal is analyzed.

The result of the analyzed speech recognition is determined in step S
At 53, it is transferred to the voice commander 102 as text data. The voice commander 102 determines in step S34 (FIG. 13) whether or not the recognition result thus transferred has been received. Step S
If it is determined that the voice recognition result could not be acquired in step S34, the process proceeds to step S35, and a message that cannot be recognized is displayed on the voice commander UI 121. The display is, for example, "???" on the recognition result display section 122 of the voice commander UI 121.

When the process in step S35 is completed, the process returns to step S32, and the subsequent processes are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S34 that text data as a speech recognition result has been obtained from the speech recognition engine 103, the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, a text based on the acquired text data is displayed on the recognition result display unit 122 of the voice commander UI 121.

The user looks at the text displayed on the recognition result display section 122, and if the text is the same as the input voice signal, stops operating the control key (from the pressed control key). Release the hand)
This instructs the personal computer 1 to execute a process corresponding to the input audio signal. Conversely, if the text displayed on the recognition result display unit 122 is different from the input voice signal, or if the text is the same but different from what is desired to be instructed, shift (Shift) By operating the key, the execution of the processing corresponding to the input audio signal can be canceled.

Since such processing is performed, the voice commander 102 determines in step S37 whether or not the operation on the control key has been stopped. If it is determined in step S37 that the operation on the control key has been stopped, the process proceeds to step S38, where the operation is transferred to the application corresponding to the recognition result. For example, when the recognition result is “electronic pet control unit”, the recognition result is transferred to the electronic pet control unit 101, and the electronic pet control unit 101 starts up as a process corresponding to the recognition result. When a plurality of applications are activated, the recognition result is transferred to the activated application. When the transfer processing in step S38 is completed,
Returning to step S32, the subsequent processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S37 that the operation on the control key has not been stopped, the flow advances to step S39 to determine whether the shift key has been operated in addition to the control key. If it is determined in step S39 that the shift key has been operated in addition to the control key, the process proceeds to step S40. If it is determined that the shift key has not been operated in addition to the control key, in other words, only the control key has been operated. If it is determined that is continuously operated, the process returns to step S33, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

In step S40, the recognition result of the input voice signal is canceled. That is, the text displayed on the recognition result display unit 122 is erased, and the apparatus enters a state of waiting for input of a new audio signal. Therefore, the process returns to step S33, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

Next, control of the electronic pet and the robot 3 by the personal computer 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Step S
At 61, it is determined whether or not activation of the electronic pet control unit 101 has been instructed. As a method of instructing activation of the electronic pet control unit 101, when the voice commander 102 is activated, as described above, it may be performed by performing voice recognition as “electronic pet control unit”, In the state shown in FIG. 11 or 12, the electronic pet control unit 101 may be clicked on by clicking the icon. In the following description, it is assumed that the voice commander 102 has been activated before the electronic pet control unit 101 is activated.

The electronic pet control unit 101 repeats the process of step S61 until it is determined that the activation of the electronic pet control unit 101 has been instructed. When the activation is instructed, the process proceeds to step S62. In step S62, the electronic pet is displayed in the electronic pet display window by activating the electronic pet control unit 101. FIG. 18 shows a display example of the electronic pet and the electronic pet display window.

A circle is displayed in the electronic pet display window 131, and the electronic pet 132 is displayed within the circle. The electronic pet 132 is a model of the robot 3. Of course, the pet may be displayed as a pet that is completely unrelated to the robot 3. At the top of the circle in the electronic pet display window 131, an end button 1 operated when ending the processing of the electronic pet control unit 101
33, a menu button 134 that is operated when displaying a menu for giving any instruction to the electronic pet 134, and a lid that is operated when the electronic pet 132 is covered with a lid so as to make it invisible Button 1
35 are provided.

When the window shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the display in step S62, the process proceeds to step S63. In step S63, it is determined whether an internal event has occurred. The electronic pet 132,
Like the robot 3, it operates according to an instruction from the user (external instruction), but also operates by itself (internal instruction) separately from the operation. Therefore, step S6
3 is the same as the processing performed in the robot 3, and with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S1) has already been described, and the description thereof is omitted.

In order to perform the same operation as the robot 3, the electronic pet control unit 101 holds the list shown in Table 1 described above. If it is determined in step S63 that an internal event has occurred, the process proceeds to step S64. The process in step S64 is basically the same as the process performed by the robot 3 as the process in step S2 in FIG. 7, except that the electronic pet 132 is a pet in the virtual space displayed on the display 18. ,
By controlling the display, an operation corresponding to the internal event is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S63 that no internal event has occurred, the process proceeds to step S6.
Go to 5. In step S65, the menu button 1
It is determined whether 34 has been operated. Step S65
If it is determined that the menu button 134 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S71 (FIG. 16). In step S71, a menu is displayed on the display 18. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display 18 when the menu is displayed.

The menu 141 is displayed next to the electronic pet display window 131 or at an overlapping position. The menu 141 includes a command display unit 1 on which electronic pets 132 and commands to be executed by the robot 3 are displayed.
43, and a decision button 142 which is operated when a command in the command display section 143 is selected and determined by the selected command. On the right side of the command display unit 143, a scroll bar operated to display a command that is not completely displayed is provided.

For example, when the user wants the electronic pet 132 to perform an operation to move backward,
11 is matched with the command “retreat” in the command display section 143. The command to which the cursor 111 is set is displayed with its characters inverted. If the user is satisfied with the highlighted command, the enter button 14
By operating 2, the command is transmitted to the electronic pet 1.
32.

In step S71, when the menu 141 as described above is displayed on the display 18,
Proceeding to step S72, it is determined whether the command in the menu 141 has been selected by the above-described processing. If it is determined in step S72 that the command has been selected, the process proceeds to step S73, and the operation corresponding to the selected command is performed by the electronic pet 132.
It is performed by As described above, the electronic pet 132
Is a pet bred in the virtual section and displayed on the display 18, so the electronic pet control unit 10
1 controls the display corresponding to the selected command so that the electronic pet 132 performs an operation corresponding to the selected command.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S72 that a command in the menu has not been selected,
Proceeding to step S74, the electronic pet control unit 101 determines whether text data has been transferred from the voice commander 102. While the voice commander 102 is activated, a desired command may be selected from the menu 141, or a command may be input by the voice commander 102. The method of instruction by the voice commander 102 (the operation of the voice commander 12) has already been described.
The description is omitted.

In step S74, when the electronic pet control unit 101 determines that the text data has been transferred from the voice commander 102, the process proceeds to step S75.
It is determined whether the transferred text data forms a command. The command is partially included in the list shown in Table 1 above. For example, if the command is text data indicating “retreat”, it is determined that the command is configured, but the command is referred to as “back”. If the text data indicates a meaning, it is determined that the command is not configured. Of course, text data not in the list is determined not to constitute a command.

If it is determined in step S75 that the transferred text data constitutes a command, the flow advances to step S73 to perform the display processing corresponding to the command as described above, and the flow returns to step S72. Subsequent processing is repeated. On the other hand, step S
If it is determined in 75 that the text data does not form a command, the process of step S73 is omitted, the process returns to step S72, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

On the other hand, if the electronic pet control unit 101 determines in step S74 that the text data has not been transferred from the voice command 102, the process proceeds to step S74.
Proceeding to 76, it is determined whether the lid button 135 has been operated. If it is determined that the lid button 135 has been operated,
Proceeding to step S77, the electronic pet display window 13
1 is displayed with a lid. FIG. 20 shows a display example of the electronic pet display window 131 with the lid covered. In the display example shown in FIG. 20, since the cover 151 is covered on the electronic pet display window 131, the electronic pet 13
2 is no longer visible.

As described above, when the cover 151 is covered so that the electronic pet 132 cannot be seen, commands selected from the menu 141 and commands input using the voice commander 102 are transmitted to the electronic pet 132. Instead, the command is issued to the robot 3. By performing such a display, the user can visually recognize whether the electronic pet 132 or the robot 3 is issued when a command is issued.

When the electronic pet display window 131 is covered with the lid 151 in step S77, the process proceeds to step S81 (FIG. 17), and the subsequent processing is performed. As described above, the command issued when the cover 151 is covered is to the robot 3, and the command issued when the cover 151 is not covered is to the electronic pet 132. Are basically the same, except that the processing in steps S81 to S87 (FIG. 17) is performed in steps S72 to S78.
Since the processing is the same as that of FIG. 16, the description is omitted.

However, since the process performed in step S82 is a process performed on the robot 3,
A scale command corresponding to the command is output. That is,
When the lid 151 is covered, the electronic pet control unit 101 functions as a control unit of the robot 3 and performs step S81.
Or the command selected in step S83, or
The command issued in the process of S84 is converted into a musical scale command and issued from the speaker 22 to the robot 3. The process of converting a command into a scale command is performed according to the list in Table 1.

As described above, when the user performs an operation of issuing a command, the command issued (instruction target) differs depending on whether the cover 151 is covered or not. By doing so, the user can use the lid 151.
By checking whether or not the electronic pet 132 is covered, not only can the pointing target be recognized, but also the electronic pet 132 and the robot 3
However, the inconvenience that a command is issued at the same time can be solved.

Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 17, when it is determined in step S85 that the lid button 135 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S87, and it is determined whether the end button 133 has been operated. If it is determined in step S87 that the end button 133 has not been operated, the process returns to step S81, and the subsequent processing is repeated. If it is determined that the end button 133 has been operated, step S69 (FIG. 15) Proceed to).

In step S65, it is determined that the menu button 134 has not been operated, in step S66 it is determined that the lid button 135 has not been operated, and in step S68, the end button 133 has been operated. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, and if it is determined in step S76 (FIG. 16) that the lid button 135 has not been operated, and if it has been determined in step S78 that the end button 133 has been operated, the process of step S69 is performed. I come to.

In step S69, an end process is executed. As the end processing, the electronic pet display window 131 and the menu 141 are closed.

If it is determined in step S66 in FIG. 15 that the lid button 135 has been operated while the electronic pet display window 131 is displayed, the process proceeds to step S6.
7 and the cover 151 is displayed on the electronic pet display window 131.
Is displayed, and a menu 141 is displayed. When the menu 141 is displayed, step S8
The processing proceeds to 1 and the subsequent processing is executed.

As described above, when the cover button 135 is operated in a state where the menu 141 is not displayed, the cover 1
The menu 141 may or may not be displayed together with the cover 51. If not displayed, the user must operate the menu button 134 separately from the operation of the lid button 135. Further, even if the menu 141 is not displayed, it is possible to give an instruction by the voice commander 102.
It is not necessary to always display 41.

In the above-described embodiment, the voice commander 102 is activated by a user's instruction. However, when the personal computer 1 is turned on,
When a predetermined operation system is started, the voice commander 102 may be started.

The menu 141 may be provided with a button for opening a window for setting the names of the electronic pet 132 and the robot 3. When such a button is provided and operated, a window for setting a name is opened, and the user can give a desired name to the electronic pet 132 and the robot 3. At this time, the electronic pet 132 and the robot 3 may be given the same name, or may be given different names. Furthermore, the personal computer 1
When a plurality of users share and use, a different name can be assigned to each user.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software can execute various functions by installing a computer built into dedicated hardware or installing various programs. It is installed from a program storage medium into a possible general-purpose personal computer or the like.

As shown in FIG. 21, a program storage medium for storing a program installed in a computer and made executable by the computer includes a magnetic disk 201 (including a floppy disk) and a magneto-optical disk 202 (CD-ROM). (Compact Disk-Read Only Memor
y), DVD (including Digital Versatile Disk), magneto-optical disk 203 (including MD (Mini-Disk)), or package media including semiconductor memory 204,
Alternatively, it is configured by a ROM 12 in which a program is temporarily or permanently stored, a hard disk configuring the storage unit 17, or the like. The program is stored in the program storage medium using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. Will be

In this specification, the steps of describing a program provided by a medium may be performed in a chronological order according to the described order. Alternatively, it also includes individually executed processing.

In this specification, the system is
It represents the entire device composed of a plurality of devices.

[0075]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the information processing method according to the fifth aspect, and the program storage medium according to the sixth aspect, a command to be input is a virtual life command. Switches between an object and a pseudo-life object. If the input command is for a virtual life object, the display of the virtual life object corresponding to the command is controlled, and the input command is However, when the object is for a pseudo-life object, a signal corresponding to the command is transmitted to the pseudo-life object, so that an instruction can be issued to the virtual life object and the pseudo-life object by the same operation, thereby improving usability. A good user interface can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an information processing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the personal computer 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an appearance of the personal computer 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a remote commander 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the robot 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an application stored in a ROM 62.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the robot 3.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an internal event generation process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the remote commander 2.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the personal computer 1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example on a display 18;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a voice commander UI is displayed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a voice commander.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a speech recognition engine.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the electronic pet and the robot.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 16;

18 is a diagram showing a display example on the display 18. FIG.

19 is a diagram showing a display example on the display 18. FIG.

20 is a diagram illustrating a display example on the display 18. FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 personal computer, 2 remote commander, 3 robot, 11 CPU, 12 ROM, 13
RAM, 14 input / output interface, 15 keyboard, 16 mouse, 17 storage unit, 18 display, 19 communication unit, 20 microphone,
21 video camera, 22 speakers, 23 drives, 41 keys, 42 speakers, 68 microphones, 69 speakers, 70 motors, 71
Exercise unit, 81 Robot control unit, 82 Scale detection unit, 101 Electronic pet control unit, 102 Voice commander, 103 Voice recognition engine, 104 Recognition word / grammar for engine, 111 cursor, 121 UI for voice commander, 131 Electronic pet display window , 132 electronic pet, 133 end button,
134 Menu button, 135 Lid button, 14
1 menu, 151 lid

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/16 340 G06F 3/16 340Z G10L 15/00 G10L 3/00 551H (72) Inventor Shuji Yonekura Tokyo 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Satoshi Fujimura 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Takashi Sasai Shinagawa, Tokyo 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa-ku Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Naoki Fujisawa 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Junji Oi Kita Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 6-35 Shinagawa, Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Tsuneki Noma 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor, Nao Yokoo 6-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sonny Corporation (72) Inventor Futa 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sonny Corporation F-term (reference) 2C150 AA14 BA06 CA02 DA05 DA23 DK02 EF29 3F059 AA00 BB06 BC06 DA08 DB02 DD08 DD11 DD18 FA03 FC14 5D015 AA06 KK01 LL05 5E501 AA02 AA17 AC15 AC16 BA02 BA05 CA02 CA08 CB02 CB09 CB15 CC02 EA05 EA11 EA21 EB01 FA04 FA05 FB01

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An input unit for inputting a command for performing a predetermined operation with respect to a virtual life object bred in a virtual space or a pseudo life object bred in a real space, and Switching means for switching whether the input command is for the virtual life object or the pseudo life object, and wherein the command input by the input means is for the virtual life object In the case, the display control means for controlling the display of the virtual life object corresponding to the command, If the command input by the input means is for the pseudo life object, the signal corresponding to the command is Send to simulated life object An information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit inputs the command by a voice signal. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmitted by the transmitting unit is a scale signal. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the names of the virtual life object and the pseudo life object are given by a user. 5. An input step of inputting a command for performing a predetermined operation on a virtual life object bred in a virtual space or on a pseudo life object bred in a real space; A command input in the process, the switching step to switch between the virtual life object or the pseudo life object, the command input in the processing of the input step,
When the command is for the virtual life object, a display control step of controlling display of the virtual life object corresponding to the command; and the command input in the processing of the input step,
And transmitting a signal corresponding to the command to the pseudo-life object if the command is for the pseudo-life object. 6. An input step of inputting a command for performing a predetermined operation with respect to a virtual life object bred in a virtual space or a pseudo life object bred in a real space; A command input in the process, the switching step to switch between the virtual life object or the pseudo life object, the command input in the processing of the input step,
When the command is for the virtual life object, a display control step of controlling display of the virtual life object corresponding to the command; and the command input in the processing of the input step,
And transmitting a signal corresponding to the command to the pseudo-life object if the signal is for the pseudo-life object, and causing the information processing apparatus to execute the program. Program storage medium.