JP2007229450A - Method for assisting exercise - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for assisting exercise which is acceptable even by elderly people. <P>SOLUTION: On the television monitor 5, a practice screen is displayed. The practice screen includes a step pattern window 61, high heel objects 54L and 54R, and an arrow object 74L, and using those window and objects, a series of step actions is instructed. The practice screen also displays footmark object 72 showing which foot switch is stepped on by the player. After the practice instructed by the practice screen, the play screen is displayed for the player to do step action following the guide. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an exercise support method for supporting an exercise of a player using a mat including a plurality of foot switches and a display device, and a related technique.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a dance game device. In this dance game device, the player is guided to walk by the display on the monitor. In accordance with the guide, the player steps on the platform and enjoys the dance game.

JP 2000-37490 A

  However, such a dance game is designed mainly for young people, and it is difficult for people who are relatively older to play according to the music according to the instructions of the guide, even after repeated times. Sometimes you don't even know the meaning of a guide. Therefore, this is a matter to be considered when providing certain types of exercise support for people of relatively older age groups.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an exercise support method and related techniques that are easy to accept even for people who are relatively old.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, an exercise support method is an exercise support method for supporting a player's exercise using a mat including a plurality of foot switches and a display device, and a series of steps to be performed by the player on the display device. Displaying a video that teaches the stepping action as a lesson screen, a video showing which of the plurality of foot switches the player is stepping on the display device instead of the lesson screen, and And a step of displaying, as a play screen, an image for guiding the series of stepping actions in accordance with music.

  According to this configuration, the player can learn in advance or recognize a series of stepping actions to be performed by viewing a video teaching a series of stepping actions on the lesson screen. Then, the player sees a video that guides a series of stepping motions on the play screen and a video that indicates which foot switch is being stepped on, and while confirming his / her stepping motion, The stepping motion can be performed according to the music. In this way, after the player is made to recognize or recognize a series of stepping actions, a series of stepping actions are performed in accordance with music, thereby assisting the exercise by the stepping actions. Therefore, by carefully teaching a series of stepping motions in advance by video, even those who are relatively old can perform stepping motions according to the music indicated by the guide relatively easily. It will be more acceptable to those who are relatively older.

  In this exercise support method, the step of displaying the video teaching the series of stepping actions as the lesson screen displays the video teaching the series of stepping actions as a teaching screen regardless of the state of the foot switch. And displaying a video teaching the series of stepping actions as a practice screen in response to the state of the foot switch.

  According to this configuration, the player can not only memorize or recognize a series of stepping actions on the teaching screen based on vision, but can also memorize or recognize a series of stepping actions while moving the body on the interactive practice screen.

  Further, in this exercise support method, the practice screen includes an image indicating which foot switch of the plurality of foot switches the player is stepping on.

  According to this configuration, the player can actually perform a series of stepping motions to be performed in accordance with the music later while watching the video to be taught and the footswitch footage on the practice screen. Can be memorized or recognized. Therefore, it is possible to support the memory or recognition work of a series of stepping actions by the player, and it becomes even easier to accept for those who are relatively older.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is incorporated.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a mat system as an exercise support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the mat system includes an adapter 1, a cartridge 3, a mat unit 7, and a television monitor 5. The adapter 1 is equipped with a cartridge 3 and includes a power supply circuit that supplies power to the cartridge 3. The adapter 1 is connected to the television monitor 5 by an AV cable 9. Accordingly, the video signal VD and the audio signal AU created by the cartridge 3 can be supplied to the television monitor 5 via the adapter 1 and the AV cable 9. Thereby, the below-mentioned teaching screen, practice screen, play screen, etc. can be displayed on the television monitor 5, and music and sound effects can be output from a speaker (not shown).

  The mat unit 7 includes the mat 2 and the circuit box 4. The circuit box 4 is attached to one end of the mat 2. A power switch 8 is provided on the surface of the circuit box 4, and an infrared filter 6 that transmits only infrared rays is attached to one end thereof. An infrared (IR) light emitting unit 30 (described later) including an infrared light emitting diode (not shown) is disposed on the back side of the infrared filter 6. On the other hand, four step areas ST1, ST2, ST3 and ST4 are formed on the surface of the mat 2. Inside the mat 2, foot switches SW1, SW2, SW3 and SW4 are provided corresponding to the step areas ST1, ST2, ST3 and ST4. When the step areas ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4 are stepped on, the corresponding foot switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 are turned on.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the mat unit 7, the adapter 1, and the cartridge 3 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, the mat unit 7 includes an infrared light (IR) light emitting unit 30, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 32, and foot switches SW1 to SW4. The IR light emitting unit 30 and the MCU 32 are built in the circuit box 4. The foot switches SW1 to SW4 are provided inside the mat 2. The MCU 32 receives the on / off information of the foot switches SW1 to SW4, drives the IR light emitting unit 30, and transmits the on / off information of the foot switches SW1 to SW4 to the IR receiver 24 of the adapter 1 by infrared communication.

  On the other hand, the cartridge 3 attached to the adapter 1 includes a processor 20 and an external memory 22 (for example, ROM and / or RAM), and the adapter 1 includes an infrared light (IR) receiver 24. The infrared signal transmitted from the IR light emitting unit 30 of the mat unit 7, that is, the on / off information of the foot switches SW <b> 1 to SW <b> 4 is received by the IR receiver 24 of the adapter 1 and given to the processor 20 of the cartridge 3.

  An external memory 22 is connected to the processor 20 of the cartridge 3. The external memory 22 includes a program area, an image data area, and an audio data area. A control program is stored in the program area. In the image data area, all image data constituting the screen displayed on the television monitor 5 and other necessary image data are stored. The audio data area stores audio data for music and sound effects. The processor 20 executes a control program in the program area, reads out image data in the image data area and audio data in the audio data area, performs necessary processing, and generates a video signal VD and an audio signal AU. In this case, the processor 20 reflects the on / off information of the foot switches SW1 to SW4 from the IR receiver 24 in the process. The video signal VD and the audio signal AU are given from the adapter 1 to the television monitor 5 through the AV cable 9.

  Although not shown, the processor 20 includes various functional blocks such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a graphics processor, a sound processor, and a DMA controller, and an A / D converter and an infrared signal (present book) used when capturing an analog signal. The embodiment includes an input / output control circuit that receives an input digital signal such as foot switch SW1 to SW4 on / off information) and a key operation signal and supplies the output digital signal to an external device, an internal memory, and the like.

  The CPU executes a control program stored in the external memory 22. The digital signal from the A / D converter and the digital signal from the input / output control circuit are given to the CPU, and the CPU executes necessary calculations according to these signals in accordance with the control program. The graphics processor performs graphic processing necessary for the image data stored in the external memory 22 according to the calculation result of the CPU, and generates a video signal VD representing an image to be displayed on the television monitor 5. . The sound processor performs sound processing necessary for the sound data stored in the external memory 22 according to the calculation result of the CPU, and generates an audio signal AU representing music and sound effects. The internal memory is constituted by a RAM, for example, and is used as a working area, a counter area, a register area, a temporary data area, and / or a flag area.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a teaching screen on the teaching stage according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, a step pattern window 61 is included in the right area of the teaching screen displayed by processor 20. In the step pattern window 61, a series of stepping actions to be performed by the player on a play screen described later, that is, a step pattern is indicated by footprint objects 60L and 60R, a black arrow object 62L, and a white arrow object 62R. Specifically, it is as follows.

  The processor 20 scrolls the vertically arranged rectangular blocks in the step pattern window 61 downward according to the music. Each of these rectangular blocks consists of four square blocks arranged side by side. The rectangular block corresponds to the mat 2, and the four square blocks correspond to the four step areas ST1 to ST4.

  The processor 20 displays the footprint objects 60L and 60R in each of the rectangular blocks. The footprint objects 60L and 60R correspond to the left foot and the right foot, respectively, and teach the corresponding stepping action of the foot. Further, the processor 20 displays an arrow object 62L (black) indicating the direction of carrying the left foot from the footprint object 60L of the rectangular block toward the footprint object 60L of the rectangular block located immediately above. Similarly, the processor 20 displays an arrow object 62R (white) indicating the direction of carrying the right foot from the rectangular block footprint object 60R toward the rectangular block footprint object 60R located immediately above.

  The processor 20 fixes and displays the timing instruction frame 63 at the bottom of the step pattern window 61. When the scrolling rectangular block enters the timing instruction frame 63, the stepping motions indicated by the footprint objects 60L and 60R and the arrow objects 62L and 62R included in the rectangular block are the stepping motions to be performed by the player at that time. The ordinal number at the left end of the timing instruction frame 63 indicates the order of the stepping action indicated by the rectangular block that has reached the timing instruction frame 63.

  Since the four square blocks in the rectangular block correspond to the four step areas ST1 to ST4, the player determines the step areas ST1 to ST4 depending on which square block is displayed with which footprint object 60L or 60R. It is possible to recognize which step area and which foot to step on. In addition, since the direction of walking is clearly indicated by the arrow objects 62L and 62R, the player can more easily recognize what stepping action is performed.

  By the way, before the start of music, that is, at the beginning of displaying the teaching screen, the step pattern window 61 displays rectangular blocks before scrolling, that is, stationary and vertically arranged. At this time, the display is performed so that the rectangular blocks in which the footprint objects 60L and 60R are written in the two middle square blocks (that is, the 0th rectangular block) are positioned in the timing instruction frame 63. At this time, the rectangular block displayed under the timing instruction frame 63 does not include the footprint objects 60L and 60R and the arrow objects 62L and 62R. Such a state is referred to as a preparation state of the teaching stage. From this preparation state, scrolling is started with the start of music. In FIG. 3, scrolling has already been performed, and the 0th rectangular block is positioned below the timing instruction frame 63.

  Further, the processor 20 moves the high heel objects 54L and 54R to the middle guide display section 50 in conjunction with the scrolling of the rectangular block in the step pattern window 61 to determine which foot to move in which direction. And the arrow objects 52L and 52R (not shown) visually instruct the player. The high heel objects 54L and 54R correspond to the left foot and the right foot, respectively, and teach the corresponding stepping action of the foot. The black arrow object 52L indicates the moving direction of the high heel object 54L, that is, the left foot, and the white arrow object 52R (not shown) indicates the moving direction of the high heel object 54R, that is, the right foot. The arrow objects 52L and 52R are displayed a predetermined time before the start of movement of the high heel objects 54L and 54R.

  The color of the arrow object 52L corresponding to the left foot is the same as the color of the arrow object 62L corresponding to the left foot, and the color of the arrow object 52R corresponding to the right foot and the color of the arrow object 62R corresponding to the right foot are Are the same.

  As described above, the guide display unit 50 also teaches the player a series of stepping actions to be performed on the play screen described later, that is, a step pattern.

  Further, the processor 20 instructs the text display unit 56 which character should be moved in which direction. This also facilitates the recognition of a series of stepping actions to be performed on the play screen described later, that is, a step pattern.

  The processor 20 finishes the teaching stage and moves to the practice stage when N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) rectangular blocks (excluding the 0th) pass through the timing instruction frame 63.

  As described above, the player learns a series of stepping actions according to music on the teaching screen only with his / her brain.

  FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a practice screen on the practice stage according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, processor 20 displays a mat object 70 simulating the shape of mat 2 in addition to the contents of the teaching screen in FIG. 3 on the practice screen. The areas st1, st2, st3, and st4 of the mat object 70 correspond to the step areas ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4 of the mat 2, that is, the foot switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, respectively. However, the arrow objects 52L and 52R in FIG. 3 are not displayed.

  The processor 20 includes a region (regions st1, st2, st3, and st4) that corresponds to a step region (one or two step regions among the step regions ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4) on which the player is standing. Alternatively, the footprint object 72 is displayed in two areas). The two footprint objects 72 have the same shape. The processor 20 can know which foot switch of the foot switches SW1 to SW4 is turned on by the information from the IR receiver 24, and thus corresponds to the foot switch while the foot switch is turned on. A footprint object 72 is displayed in the area. Thus, the player can confirm his / her standing position at any time without looking at his / her feet as long as he / she is viewing the screen.

  Further, the processor 20 displays on the mat object 70 arrow objects 74L and 74R (not shown) indicating directions in which the player should move his / her foot. The color of the arrow object 74L indicating the movement of the left foot is the same as the color of the arrow object 62L corresponding to the left foot, the color of the arrow object 74R (not shown) indicating the movement of the right foot, and the arrow corresponding to the right foot. The color of the object 62R is the same.

  In the teaching screen of FIG. 3, the rectangular blocks in the step pattern window 61 are scrolled in accordance with the music flowing in the screen, and the high heel objects 54L and 54R and the arrow objects 52L and 52R are changed. However, in the practice screen of FIG. 4, the processor 20 includes the high heel objects 54L and 54R, the arrow objects 74L and 74R, the footprint objects 60L and 60R in the timing instruction frame 63, and the arrow objects 62L and 62R in the timing instruction frame 63. Until the player performs the stepping action instructed by 62R, the scrolling in the step pattern window 61, the change in the high heel objects 54L and 54R, and the change in the arrow objects 74L and 74R, that is, the lesson for the next stepping action is not performed. That is, the processor 20 stops the progress of the lesson until the player performs the stepping action currently instructed.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the player has stepped on the step areas ST2 and ST3, and therefore the footprint object 72 is displayed in the areas st2 and st3 corresponding to these. Therefore, in this case, the player has not yet performed the instructed stepping motion. When the player steps on the stepping area ST1 and turns on the foot switch SW1, the processor 20 scrolls in the step pattern window 61 to instruct the next stepping action, the high heel objects 54L and 54R, and the arrow The objects 74L and 74R are changed.

  Since the high heel objects 54L and 54R are displayed at positions corresponding to the areas st1 to st4, the player can easily recognize which areas ST1 to ST4 of the mat 2 should be stepped on.

  The processor 20 finishes the practice stage and moves to the play stage when M (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1) rectangular blocks (excluding the 0th) pass through the timing instruction frame 63.

  As described above, in the practice stage, the player not only looks at the screen but also learns a series of stepping actions, that is, step patterns, by actually performing the stepping action.

  By the way, at the beginning of the display of the practice screen, the rectangular blocks in which the footprint objects 60L and 60R are written in the two square blocks in the middle (that is, the 0th rectangular block) are displayed so as to be positioned in the timing instruction frame 63. Is done. At this time, the rectangular block displayed under the timing instruction frame 63 does not include the footprint objects 60L and 60R and the arrow objects 62L and 62R. Further, at this time, the high heel objects 54L and 54R are displayed immediately above the regions st2 and st3, respectively. Such a state is referred to as a practice stage preparation state.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a play screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, processor 20 displays a play screen on the play stage, and this play screen includes circular object 80, note mark 82, guide display unit 86, and mat object 90. The guide display unit 86 includes high heel objects 88L and 88R that are displayed in the middle of the play screen and imitate high heels viewed from behind. The high heel objects 88L and 88R guide the player to perform the stepping motion in the same manner as the high heel objects 54L and 54R.

  Further, the processor 20 moves the musical note mark 82 from the rightmost circular object 80 toward the leftmost circular object 80 according to the music. In this case, the note mark 82 moves on the circular object 80. After the note mark 82 is displayed on the leftmost circular object 80, the musical note mark 82 returns to the rightmost circular object 80 and moves again toward the leftmost circular object 80. The note mark 82 repeats such movement. The movement timing of the note mark 82 is linked to the movement timing of the high heel objects 88L and 88R.

  The areas st1, st2, st3, and st4 of the mat object 90 correspond to the step areas ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4 of the mat 2, that is, the foot switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, respectively.

  The processor 20 includes a region (regions st1, st2, st3, and st4) that corresponds to a step region (one or two step regions among the step regions ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4) on which the player is standing. Alternatively, the footprint object 92 is displayed in two areas). The two footprint objects 92 have the same shape. The processor 20 can know which foot switch of the foot switches SW1 to SW4 is turned on by the information from the IR receiver 24, and thus corresponds to the foot switch while the foot switch is turned on. A footprint object 92 is displayed in the area. Thus, the player can confirm his / her standing position at any time without looking at his / her feet as long as he / she is viewing the screen.

  Since the high heel objects 88L and 88R are displayed at positions corresponding to the areas st1 to st4, the player can easily recognize which step areas ST1 to ST4 should be stepped on by the positions of the high heel objects 88L and 88R. .

  The player performs a series of stepping actions learned on the teaching screen of FIG. 3 and the practice screen of FIG. 4 according to the music, so that the movement of the footprint object 92 and the movement of the high heel objects 88L and 88R are completely completed. Synchronize. Accordingly, even if the foot is moved after visually confirming the note mark 82 and the high heel objects 88L and 88R, complete synchronization cannot be performed. The processor 20 displays an evaluation unit 94 under the mat object 90 (“PERFECT” in the drawing) in order to indicate the degree of synchronization (in the order of higher synchronization, “PERFECT”, “SUCCESS”, “FAILURE”).

  By the way, at the beginning of the display of the play screen, the high heel objects 88L and 88R are displayed immediately above the areas st2 and st3, respectively. Further, the note mark 82 is not displayed. Such a state is referred to as a play stage preparation state.

  Next, the flow of processing will be described using a flowchart.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of overall processing according to the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, in step S <b> 1, processor 20 executes processing for the teaching stage in order to display the teaching screen of FIG. 3. Thereafter, in step S3, the processor 20 executes processing for the practice stage in order to display the practice screen of FIG. Thereafter, in step S5, the processor 20 executes processing for the play stage in order to display the play screen of FIG. Note that the teaching stage and the practice stage are sometimes collectively referred to as a lesson stage. Similarly, a teaching screen and a practice screen may be collectively referred to as a lesson screen. Hereinafter, the processing of steps S1 to S3 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in step S1 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, in step S <b> 20, processor 20 displays a preparation state teaching screen on television monitor 5. In step S22, the processor 20 starts playing music. In step S24, the processor 20 determines whether or not the Nth rectangular block (that is, the last rectangular block) of the step pattern window 61 has passed through the timing instruction frame 63, and if so, the process proceeds to step S60. The process proceeds to finish the music reproduction, and the process proceeds to the practice stage in step S3 in FIG. On the other hand, otherwise, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26, the processor 20 refers to the timing data to determine whether or not it is a setting timing for a new rectangular block. If it is not the setting timing, the process proceeds to step S32. If it is the setting timing, the process proceeds to step S28. . This timing data is data that determines the setting timing of the rectangular blocks (including footprint objects 60L and 60R and arrow objects 62L and 62R) in the step pattern window 61, and which rectangular block is in what video frame from the start of music. This data defines whether to set. One video frame is 1/60 second, for example. In step S <b> 28, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the new rectangular block defined by the timing data above the step pattern window 61. However, since this position is behind the frame (white in the figure) of the step pattern window 61, it does not appear on the screen. Furthermore, in step S30, the processor 20 performs the disappearance setting of the rectangular block that cannot be seen from the step pattern window 61 by scrolling, that is, the rectangular block immediately below the step pattern window 61 (the frontmost rectangular block).

  In step S32, the processor 20 refers to the timing data to determine whether or not it is a new ordinal setting timing to the left end of the timing instruction frame 63. If it is not the setting timing, the processor 20 proceeds to step S38, If there is, the process proceeds to step S34. This timing data is data defining the setting timing of the ordinal number, and is data defining which ordinal number is to be set in the video frame from the start of music. In step S <b> 34, the processor 20 sets a new ordinal coordinate determined by the timing data at the left end of the timing instruction frame 63. Further, in step S36, the processor 20 performs the setting for eliminating the ordinal number currently being displayed.

  In step S38, the processor 20 refers to the timing data to determine whether or not it is the setting timing of the arrow objects 52L and 52R. If it is not the setting timing, the process proceeds to step S44, and if it is the setting timing, the process proceeds to step S40. move on. This timing data is data that defines the setting timing of new arrow objects 52L and 52R, and is data that defines which arrow object is to be set at which video frame from the start of music. In step S40, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the new arrow objects 52L and 52R defined by the timing data to the coordinates defined by the timing data. Further, in step S42, the processor 20 performs the disappearance setting of the currently displayed arrow objects 52L and 52R.

  In step S44, the processor 20 refers to the timing data to determine whether or not it is the movement start timing of the high heel objects 54L and 54R. If it is not the movement start timing, the process proceeds to step S48. Proceed to step S46. This timing data is data that defines the movement start timing of the high heel objects 54L and 54R, and more specifically, data that defines which animation table is to be referenced in which video frame from the start of music. The animation table is a table in which the movement start positions, stop positions, paths between the high heel objects 54L and 54R, and the movement time are determined. However, in the animation table, the positions of the non-moving high heel objects 54L and 54R are determined to be fixed. In step S46, the processor 20 sets an animation table indicated by the timing data.

  In step S48, the processor 20 refers to the timing data to determine whether or not it is the update timing of the text display unit 56. If it is not the update timing, the process proceeds to step S54, and if it is the update timing, the process proceeds to step S50. . This timing data is data that defines the update timing of the text display unit 56, and is data that defines which text frame is set to which video frame from the start of music. In step S50, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the text defined by the timing data to the coordinates defined by the timing data. Furthermore, in step S52, the processor 20 performs the disappearance setting of the currently displayed text.

  In step S54, the processor 20 updates the coordinates of all rectangular blocks (including rectangular blocks directly above and below the step pattern window 61) for scrolling in the step pattern window 61. In step S56, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the high heel objects 54L and 54R according to the animation table set in step S46. In step S58, the processor 20 updates the teaching screen according to the settings in the above steps, and returns to step S24.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in step S3 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, in step S <b> 70, processor 20 causes the television monitor 5 to display a prepared practice screen. In step S72, the processor 20 checks the status of the foot switches SW1 to SW4, that is, the on / off state. In step S74, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the footprint object 72 according to the status of the foot switches SW1 to SW4. In step S76, processor 20 determines whether or not the status of foot switches SW1 to SW4 matches the instruction on the practice screen in the initial state. Incidentally, the instruction on the practice screen in the initial state is to step on the step areas ST2 and ST3. If not matched, the processor 20 proceeds to step S78 to update the screen, returns to step S72, and if matched, proceeds to step S79 to update the screen and proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, the processor 20 determines whether or not the Mth rectangular block (that is, the last rectangular block) of the step pattern window 61 has passed through the timing instruction frame 63. The process proceeds to the play stage in step S5. On the other hand, otherwise, the process proceeds to step S82.

  In step S <b> 82, the processor 20 refers to the order data and sets the coordinates of the new rectangular block immediately above the step pattern window 61. However, since this position is behind the frame (white in the figure) of the step pattern window 61, it does not appear on the screen. This order data is data that defines the order of the rectangular blocks (including footprint objects 60L and 60R and arrow objects 62L and 62R) of the step pattern window 61.

  In step S <b> 84, the processor 20 refers to the order data and sets the coordinates of the new ordinal number at the left end of the timing instruction frame 63. This order data is data that defines the order of ordinal numbers to be displayed at the left end of the timing instruction frame 63.

  In step S86, the processor 20 refers to the order data and sets an animation table for the high heel objects 54L and 54R. This order data is data that defines the order of the animation table to be set. The animation table is a table in which the movement start positions, stop positions, paths between the high heel objects 54L and 54R, and the movement time are determined. However, in the animation table, the positions of the non-moving high heel objects 54L and 54R are determined to be fixed.

  In step S88, the processor 20 refers to the order data and sets the coordinates of new arrow objects 74L and 74R. This order data is data that defines the order and coordinates of the arrow objects 52L and 52R to be set.

  In step S90, the processor 20 refers to the order data and sets the coordinates of a new text to be displayed on the text display unit 56. This order data is data that defines the order of text to be displayed on the text display unit 56.

  In step S92, the processor 20 determines whether or not the rectangular block of the step pattern window 61 has reached the scroll stop position, that is, whether or not the rectangular block is exactly within the timing instruction frame 63, and is not the stop position. If so, the process proceeds to step S94 to continue scrolling, and if it is the stop position, the process proceeds to step S96 to stop scrolling. In step S94, the processor 20 updates the coordinates of all the rectangular blocks to perform scrolling. On the other hand, in step S96, the coordinates of all rectangular blocks are fixed in order to stop scrolling. Further, in step S98, the processor 20 performs the disappearance setting of the rectangular block that is no longer visible from the step pattern window 61, that is, the rectangular block immediately below the step pattern window 61 (the frontmost rectangular block).

  In step S100, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the high heel objects 54L and 54R according to the animation table set in step S86.

  In step S102, the processor 20 checks the status of the foot switches SW1 to SW4. In step S104, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the footprint object 72 according to the status of the foot switches SW1 to SW4. In step S106, processor 20 determines whether the status of foot switches SW1-SW4 matches the instruction on the current practice screen. If they do not match, the processor 20 proceeds to step S109 and updates the screen according to the settings in the above steps, and returns to step S92. If they match, the processor 20 proceeds to step S108 and follows the settings in the above steps. The screen is updated, and the process returns to step S80.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in step S5 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, in step S <b> 120, processor 20 displays a ready-made play screen on television monitor 5. In step S122, the processor 20 checks the status of the foot switches SW1 to SW4. In step S124, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the footprint object 72 according to the status of the foot switches SW1 to SW4. In step S126, the processor 20 determines whether or not the statuses of the foot switches SW1 to SW4 match the instructions on the play screen in the initial state. Incidentally, the instruction of the play screen in the initial state is to step on the step areas ST2 and ST3. If not matched, the processor 20 proceeds to step S128 to update the screen, returns to step S122, and if matched, proceeds to step S129 to update the screen and proceeds to step S130.

  In step S130, the processor 20 starts playing music. In step S132, the processor 20 determines whether or not the music ends, and if the music ends, the process ends, otherwise the process proceeds to step S134.

  In step S134, the processor refers to the timing data to determine whether or not it is the setting timing of a new note mark 82. If it is not the setting timing, the processor proceeds to step S140, and if it is the setting timing, the processor proceeds to step S136. This timing data is data that defines the setting timing of the note mark 82, and is data that defines the number of video frames from which the music mark mark 82 is overlapped and set on which circular object 80. Further, in step S138, the processor 20 performs the disappearance setting of the currently displayed note mark 82.

  In step S140, the processor 20 refers to the timing data to determine whether or not it is the movement start timing of the high heel objects 54L and 54R. If it is not the movement start timing, the process proceeds to step S144. The process proceeds to step S142. This timing data is data that defines the movement start timing of the high heel objects 54L and 54R, and more specifically, data that defines which animation table is to be referenced in which video frame from the start of music. The animation table is a table in which the movement start positions, stop positions, paths between the high heel objects 54L and 54R, and the movement time are determined. However, in the animation table, the positions of the non-moving high heel objects 54L and 54R are determined to be fixed. In step S142, the processor 20 sets an animation table indicated by the timing data.

  In step S144, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the high heel objects 54L and 54R according to the animation table set in step S142.

  In step S146, the processor 20 checks the status of the foot switches SW1 to SW4. In step S148, the processor 20 proceeds to step S156 if the status of the foot switches SW1 to SW4 has not changed, and proceeds to step S150 if there has been a change.

  In step S150, the processor 20 evaluates in three stages as described above how much the status change of the foot switches SW1 to SW4 is synchronized with the instruction on the play screen. In step S154, the processor 20 sets the text of the evaluation unit 94 according to the evaluation result of step S152. In step S156, the processor 20 sets the coordinates of the footprint object 92 according to the status of the foot switches SW1 to SW4.

  In step S158, the processor 20 updates the screen of the television monitor 5 in accordance with the settings in the above steps, and returns to step S132.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the player performs a series of stepping motions to be performed by viewing a video (a teaching screen in FIG. 3 and a practice screen in FIG. 4) that lessons a series of stepping motions. Can be remembered or recognized in advance. In particular, in the practice screen of FIG. 4, not only the brain but also the body can be used to memorize or recognize a series of stepping actions, which makes it easy for players to memorize and recognize a series of stepping actions. Become.

  Then, the player is stepping on the play screen of FIG. 5, that is, the video (high heel objects 88L and 88R and / or the circular object 80 and the note mark 82) for guiding a series of stepping actions and which foot switch is being stepped on. A series of stepping motions that can be learned or recognized can be performed in accordance with music while checking the stepping motion of the user by viewing the video (the mat object 90 and the footprint object 92).

  In this way, by letting the player memorize or recognize a series of stepping actions (teaching screen and practice screen), by making a series of stepping actions according to music (play screen), the stepping action Support exercise by. A series of stepping motions are carefully taught in advance using images (teaching screens and practice screens), so even relatively older people can easily step on the stage according to the music. And can be easily accepted by older people.

  By the way, on the practice screen of FIG. 4, the lesson proceeds according to the operation of the foot switches SW1 to SW4 by the player. Therefore, it can be said that this practice screen is an interactive screen for lessons.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

  (1) In the above description, the timing instruction frame 63 is fixed and the rectangular block is scrolled downward in the step pattern window 61. However, the type and timing of the stepping motion can be taught by fixing the rectangular block in the step pattern window 61 and moving the timing instruction frame 63 upward. In this case, when the timing instruction frame 63 moves to the uppermost rectangular block, the contents of the rectangular block in the step pattern window 61 are updated, the timing instruction frame 63 is returned to the lowest rectangular block, and the upward movement is again performed. Start. Such a process is repeated.

  (2) On the teaching screen in FIG. 3 and the practice screen in FIG. 4, the stepping motion is taught by the guide display unit 50, the text display unit 56, and the step pattern window 61. However, the stepping motion can be taught by one or two of them. There may be more than them. The step pattern window 61 is particularly effective for allowing the player to grasp the overall flow of the stepping motion.

  (3) In the teaching screen of FIG. 3 and the practice screen of FIG. 4, a predetermined step pattern consisting of a combination of a plurality of stepping actions is repeatedly shown and the player is made to remember this, and on the play screen of FIG. The stepping operation of the predetermined step pattern can be performed.

  (4) The order of the teaching stage and the practice stage can be switched. However, as described above, it is preferable to perform the teaching stage first.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a mat system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the electrical structure of the mat unit 7, the adapter 1, and the cartridge 3 of FIG. It is an illustration figure of the teaching screen by embodiment. It is an illustration figure of the practice screen by embodiment. It is an illustration figure of the play screen by embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the whole process by embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process by FIG.6 S1. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process by FIG.6 S3. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process by FIG.6 S5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Adapter, 3 ... Cartridge, 5 ... Television monitor, 7 ... Matt unit, 20 ... Processor, 22 ... External memory, 24 ... IR receiver, 30 ... IR light emission part, 32 ... MCU, SW1-SW4 ... Foot switch.

Claims (3)

An exercise support method for supporting a player's exercise using a mat and a display device including a plurality of foot switches,
Displaying a video teaching a series of stepping actions to be performed by the player as a lesson screen on the display device;
Instead of the lesson screen, an image showing which foot switch of the plurality of foot switches the player is stepping on, and an image for guiding the series of stepping actions according to music are displayed on the display device. And a step of displaying as a play screen. The step of displaying the video teaching the series of stepping actions as the lesson screen,
Regardless of the state of the foot switch, displaying a video teaching the series of stepping actions as a teaching screen;
The exercise support method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying an image teaching the series of stepping actions as a practice screen in response to the state of the foot switch.   The exercise support method according to claim 2, wherein the practice screen includes an image indicating which foot switch of the plurality of foot switches is being pressed by the player.

Images