JP2008049117A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor which may be intuitively operated by a player. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor is equipped with a manual input unit 7 which is held by player's hands for operation and a mat unit 3 which is footed by a player's foot for operation. The information processor also makes a display so that a character 101 moves and jumps toward a vaulting box object 109 in accordance with an input from the mat unit 3 and jumps over the vaulting box object 103 in accordance with an input from the manual input unit 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which a player performs input using both hands and feet.

Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus that detects movement of a player's hand and movement of a foot as an input and changes a video on a display device. In the invention of Patent Document 1, the input operation of the player for moving the character on the screen is set to be an aerobic exercise, and the player can perform an aerobic exercise at the same time by performing a video game.
Special table flat 10-509058

  However, the invention of Patent Document 1 does not particularly disclose the viewpoint of enabling the player to perform an intuitive operation or the viewpoint of giving the player a sense of reality.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that allows a player to perform an intuitive operation.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can give a player a sense of reality by displaying images.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, an information processing device detects a movement of a hand in a three-dimensional space of a player and performs input according to a result of the detection, and the three-dimensional of the player A second input means for detecting the movement of the foot in the space and performing input according to the detection result, and controlling the position information of the character on the screen according to the input from the second input means Position control means, and action control means for controlling the character to perform a predetermined action in response to an input from the first input means.

  According to this configuration, the player can move the character on the screen by moving the foot, and can cause the character to perform a predetermined action by moving the hand. Since humans usually use their feet to move, use tools, grab things, shake things, or throw things with their hands, players must operate intuitively. Can do. In addition, it is possible to give a realistic feeling to the player.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus detects the movement of the hand of the player in the three-dimensional space, and performs input according to the detection result, and the player A second input means for detecting the movement of the foot in the three-dimensional space and performing input according to the result of the detection, and the upper body of the character on the screen in accordance with the input from the first input means Character control means for controlling the movement of the lower body of the character on the screen in accordance with the input from the second input means.

  According to this configuration, when the player wants to move the lower body of the character, he / she moves his / her foot and performs input using the second input means, and when he / she wants to move the upper body of the character, he / she moves his / her hand to move the first input means. Intuitive operation is possible because input can be performed with.

  In the first and second aspects of the present invention, the first input means may include an imaging means for imaging a player's hand.

  The second input means may include an imaging means for imaging the player's foot.

  Further, the first input means may include one or any combination of an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a vibration sensor, and a gravity sensor for detecting the movement of the player's hand.

  Furthermore, the second input means may include one or any combination of an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a vibration sensor, and a gravity sensor for detecting the movement of the player's foot.

  As the acceleration sensor, a piezoelectric acceleration sensor or the like can be used. In addition, a gyroscope or the like can be used as the tilt sensor.

  Furthermore, the second input means may include a step detection means for detecting a stepping action of the player.

  Furthermore, it may further include consumption energy calculation means for calculating energy consumed by the movement of the player based on respective inputs from the first input means and the second input means.

  According to this configuration, the player can grasp how much the input operation is exercising.

  Further, in this case, the first input means may include a grip portion for the player to grip with both hands.

  The grip portion includes a switch that is turned on when pressed.

  According to this configuration, the player can input by pressing the switch by grasping the grip portion.

  The first input means may include a plurality of transmission means for transmitting an operation signal according to the movement of the player's hand, and the transmission means may be directed in different directions.

  According to this configuration, even if the first input unit is tilted and held by the player, an operation signal is transmitted from any of the transmission units and input is performed.

  In this case, the transmission means may be an infrared light emitting diode.

  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 diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing apparatus includes an information processing unit 1, a mat unit 3, a television monitor 5, a manual input unit 7 and an AV cable 9. The information processing unit 1 is connected to the television monitor 5 through the AV cable 9. Therefore, the video signal and the audio signal created by the information processing unit 1 can be supplied to the television monitor 5 through the AV cable 9. As a result, a game screen, an exercise measurement screen, etc., which will be described later, can be displayed on the television monitor 5, and music and sound effects can be output from a speaker (not shown).

  The information processing unit 1 is attached to one end of the mat unit 3. A power switch (not shown) is provided on the surface of the information processing unit 1. On the other hand, the mat unit 3 includes two foot switches SW1 and SW2, and the foot switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on when stepped on. Since the player usually operates with the left foot and the right foot on the foot switches SW1 and SW2, respectively, the foot switches SW1 and SW2 are basically turned on so that the player steps on the mat, jumps, etc. Is turned off when the foot switch SW1 and / or SW2 are removed, and turned on again when landing.

  The manual input unit 7 is gripped so as to be gripped by the player. As shown in FIG. 1, it may lean in the horizontal direction, or it may lean in the vertical direction (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a view of the manual input unit 7 of FIG. 1 as viewed from the information processing unit 1 side, that is, the ground side, with the player holding it.

  Referring to FIG. 2, grip portions 71L and 71R are portions that are gripped by the player. The button switches SW3 and SW4 are installed at positions where the middle of the middle finger of the player's index finger hits when the grip portions 71L and 71R are gripped by the player. The button switches SW3 and SW4 are not pushed in only by the player holding the grip portions 71L and 71R, but are pushed in and turned on when the player grasps the finger with force.

  At both ends of the manual input unit 7, infrared (IR) light emitting portions 73 </ b> L and 73 </ b> R are exposed on the side surfaces, and IR light emitting portions 75 </ b> R and 75 </ b> L are exposed on the bottom surface portions. Hereinafter, the IR light emitting units 73L and 73R may be described as the IR light emitting unit 73, and the IR light emitting units 75L and 75R may be described as the IR light emitting unit 75. The IR light-emitting portions 75R and 75L are asymmetrical in the left-right direction. The infrared light from any one of the IR light-emitting portions is received by the IR receiver 15 even if the manual input unit 7 is tilted. This is to ensure that it reaches (described later). The IR light emitting unit 73 is disposed on the side surface and the IR light emitting unit 75 is disposed on the bottom surface, regardless of whether the manual input unit is gripped in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. This is because the infrared light from the laser beam reaches the IR receiver 15. For example, a red light emitting diode is used for the IR light emitting unit.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the information processing unit 1, the mat unit 3, and the manual input unit 7. Referring to FIG. 3, mat unit 3 includes foot switches SW1 and SW2. The on / off signals of the foot switches SW1 and SW2 are directly given to the processor 11 of the information processing unit 1.

  The manual input unit 7 includes IR light emitting units 73 and 75, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 701, button switches SW3 and SW4, an inclination sensor 711, and a vibration sensor 713. The MCU 701, the tilt sensor 711, and the vibration sensor 713 are each incorporated in the manual input unit. The tilt sensor 711 detects whether the manual input unit 7 is gripped in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, and outputs it as tilt information indicating “horizontal” or “vertical”. When the hand input unit 7 is shaken by the player, the vibration sensor 713 senses vibration and turns on. The MCU 701 receives the on / off information of the button switches SW3 and SW4 and the vibration sensor 713 and the tilt information from the tilt sensor 711, drives the IR light emitting units 73 and 75, and performs IR communication to transmit the button switches SW3, SW4 and The on / off information of the vibration sensor 713 and the tilt information from the tilt sensor 711 are transmitted to the IR receiver 15.

  On the other hand, the information processing unit 1 installed at one end of the mat unit 3 includes a processor 11, an external memory 13, and an IR receiver 15. The on / off information of the button switches SW3 and SW4 and the vibration sensor 713 received by the IR receiver 15 and the inclination information from the inclination sensor 711 are given to the processor 11. The information processing unit 1 may be configured as an independent unit or may be configured to be installed on the manual input unit 7 side. However, when it is installed on the manual input unit 7 side, it is necessary to provide the MCU 701 and the IR light emitting units 73 and 75 on the mat unit 3 side instead of the manual dormitory unit 7.

  An external memory 13 is connected to the processor 11. The external memory 13 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 11 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 and an audio signal. In this case, the processor 11 receives the on / off information from the foot switches SW1 and SW2, the on / off information of the button switches SW3 and SW4 and the vibration sensor 713, and the inclination information from the inclination sensor 711 from the IR receiver 15. Reflect in processing. The video signal and the audio signal are given to the television monitor 5 through the AV cable 9.

  Although not shown, the processor 11 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, an IR signal, and a key that are used when capturing an analog signal. It includes an input / output control circuit that receives an input digital signal such as an operation signal and provides an output digital signal to an external device, an internal memory, and the like.

  The CPU executes a control program stored in the external memory 13. 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. On / off information from the foot switches SW 1 and SW 2, button switches SW 3 and SW 4 from the IR receiver 15, on / off information of the vibration sensor 713, and inclination information from the inclination sensor 711 are input to this input / output control circuit. Is done. The graphics processor performs graphic processing necessary for the image data stored in the external memory 13 according to the calculation result of the CPU, and generates a video signal 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 13 according to the calculation result of the CPU, and generates an audio signal 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. 4 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The screen of FIG. 4 is a push-up game screen.

  Referring to FIG. 4, screen 100 includes a character 101, a time display unit 103, and a number display unit 105. On this screen, the processor 11 displays the character 101 to push up in response to the on / off signal of the vibration sensor 713 of the manual input unit 7.

  The processor 11 displays this screen for a certain period of time and displays the remaining time on the time display unit 103. Further, the number of times that the character 101 has performed push-ups, that is, the number of times that the player has moved the hand input unit 7 up and down and moved the arms up and down is displayed on the number display section.

  Therefore, the player can make the character 101 push up more times by swinging the arm up and down and moving the hand input unit 7 up and down for a certain period of time.

  FIG. 5 is another exemplary view of a screen displayed by the information processing apparatus using the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The screen of FIG. 5 is a jump box game screen.

  Referring to FIG. 5, screen 100 includes a character 101, jump base object 107, and jump box object 109. On this screen, the processor 11 first displays an instruction to the player to perform a dash operation on the spot, that is, to step on the foot switches SW1 and SW2. When the player performs a dash action, the player's feet are alternately separated, so the foot switches SW1 and SW2 are alternately switched from on to off and from off to on.

  When the processor 11 confirms that the foot switches SW1 and SW2 are alternately turned from on to off and transitions from off to on within a predetermined time t1, the processor 11 determines that a dash command has been input. Each time the dash command is input, the processor 11 causes the character 101 to make a two-step motion to approach the jump box object 109. When the processor 11 determines that the character 101 has moved to a predetermined position, that is, the position of the jump base object 107, the processor 11 displays an instruction to jump on the spot.

  When the player jumps, both feet of the player move away from the foot switches SW1 and SW2, so that the foot switches SW1 and SW2 both change from on to off until the player lands. The processor 11 determines that the jump command has been input when it is confirmed that both the foot switches SW1 and SW2 are changed from on to off and the off state continues for a predetermined time t2. The predetermined time t2 is set longer than the predetermined time t1. When the processor 11 confirms that the jump command has been input in a timely manner, the character 101 performs a display of jumping. Do.

  When the player inputs the jump command with good timing, the processor 11 displays an instruction to shake the manual input unit 7 on the screen 100. Here, when the player shakes the manual input unit 7, the vibration sensor 713 is turned on from off. When the processor 11 detects the ON signal of the vibration sensor 713, the processor 11 determines that a swing command has been input. When the swing command is input in a timely manner, the character 101 uses the hand to display a jump over the jump box object 109 and displays the input. When the timing is shifted, the character 101 gets on the jumping box object 109, and a display that fails to jump is performed.

  Therefore, the player jumps over the jump box object 109 to the character 101 by sequentially performing actions that imitate the action of jumping the jump box in reality, such as stepping quickly, jumping with both feet with good timing, and using arms with good timing. Can be made.

  FIG. 6 is another exemplary view of a screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The screen shown in FIG. 6 is a game screen in which the player rides while balancing on a rolling log.

  Referring to FIG. 6, screen 100 includes character 101 and log object 111. The processor 11 performs a walking operation while maintaining a balance on the log object 111 that rolls when the above-described dash command is input at regular intervals. At this time, if the input interval of the dash command is disturbed, the ON signal of the vibration sensor 713 is present, or the tilt information of the tilt sensor 711 is “vertical” instead of “horizontal”, the processor 11 balances the character 101. A display of falling from the broken log object 111 is performed.

  Accordingly, the player can move the character 101 without dropping by keeping the hand input unit 7 horizontal without stepping while stepping on the mat unit 3 with a good rhythm.

  FIG. 7 is another exemplary view of a screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The screen in FIG. 7 is a game screen for climbing cliffs using ropes.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the game screen includes a character 101, a rope object 113, and a cliff object 114. The processor 11 sequentially displays instructions to the player to jump on the spot and press the button switches SW3 and SW4 simultaneously. As described above, when the player jumps on the foot switches SW1 and SW2, the processor 11 determines that a jump command has been input. When the player holds the hand input unit 7 with both hands and both the button switches SW3 and SW4 are pressed and turned on, the processor 11 determines that a grasp command has been input.

  The processor 11 performs a display in which the character 101 jumps in response to the input of the jump command. Further, when the grab command is input while the jump animation is displayed, the character 101 grabs the rope object 113. Display actions. Thereafter, the character 101 is displayed in a state of hanging from the rope object 113. If the grab command is not input during the jump animation display at the appropriate timing, the processor 11 displays the character 101 so as to fall on the ground, and waits for the jump command and the grab command to be input again.

  Next, the processor 11 displays an instruction that the player can alternately release the button switches SW3 and SW4 and then press them again while paying attention not to release both the button switches SW3 and SW4. When the button switches SW3 and SW4 are alternately switched from on to off and from off to on, the processor 11 determines that a rope command has been input. In response to the input of the rope command, the processor 11 causes the character 101 to perform an action of extending the released hand and pulling the rope object 113 and displays the character 101 ascending the cliff object 114.

  Here, in addition to the input of the rope command, when the vibration sensor 713 is input to ON or the dash command is input, the character 101 displays the reaction using the body reaction and the movement of the foot, and the character is faster. 101 may climb the cliff object 114.

  When the processor 11 detects that the button switches SW3 and SW4 are turned off at the same time, the character 101 releases the rope object 113 and displays it falling to the ground.

  Therefore, when the player jumps, the character 101 grasps the rope object 113 by holding the hand input unit 7 in a timely manner, and the hand input unit 7 is alternately gripped and released one by one. By performing the action, it is possible to cause the character 101 to climb the cliff object 114 using the rope object 113.

  FIG. 8 is another exemplary view of a screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The screen of FIG. 8 is a swing motion detection screen that detects the player's swing motion and gives the player an instruction of motion by display on the screen based on the detected result.

  Referring to FIG. 8, screen 100 includes a time display unit 115, an exercise evaluation unit 117, an operation method instruction unit 119, and an exercise instruction character 121. The processor 11 displays the remaining exercise time on the time display unit 115. In addition, an animation in which the exercise instruction character 121 performs an exercise using an exercise apparatus is displayed. The animation is composed of two types of animations: an animation in which the exercise equipment is held in the horizontal direction and moved up and down, and an animation in which the exercise equipment is held in the vertical direction and moved left and right, and are switched at predetermined time intervals. Further, the operation method instruction unit 119 displays how to operate the manual input unit 7.

  The processor 11 determines whether the holding method of the hand input unit 7 of the player is the same as that of the movement instruction character 121 depending on whether the inclination information of the inclination sensor 711 is “horizontal” or “vertical”, and the wrong direction If it is held, the display for instructing the player to correct the holding is performed. Furthermore, the calorie consumption is displayed on the exercise evaluation unit 117 according to the signal from the manual input unit 7. As for the calorie consumption, unit calorie consumption information is stored in the external memory 13 when the pre-measured manual input unit 7 is shaken up and down or left and right, and the unit calorie consumption and the vibration sensor 713 are turned on / off. It is calculated by multiplying the number of times the signal is switched.

  Therefore, the player refers to the movement of the movement instruction character 121 and moves the manual input unit 7 in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction and shakes it up and down or left and right by the method displayed on the operation method instruction unit 119. Exercise while checking the calories burned during exercise.

  FIG. 9 is still another example of a screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The screen in FIG. 9 is a character input screen.

  Referring to FIG. 9, screen 100 includes a character type display unit 123, a line selection unit 125, an end button 126, a cursor 127, a character selection unit 129, and a selected character display unit 131. The processor 11 changes the character type such as hiragana, katakana, and English characters according to the ON signal of the vibration sensor 713, displays the selected character type on the character type display unit 123 (in the figure, hiragana), and the line Each character displayed on the selection unit 125 and the character selection unit 129 is displayed with the changed character type. In response to the input of the button switches SW3 and SW4, the cursor 127 is moved left and right in the row selection unit 125. In addition, the processor 11 selects the line on which the cursor is placed according to the input of the foot switch SW2, displays each character belonging to the selected line on the character selection unit 129, and displays the cursor 127 on the character selection unit 129. Move. Further, the processor 11 moves the cursor 127 left and right in the character selection unit 129 in accordance with the input of the button switches SW3 and SW4. In response to the ON signal of the foot switch SW2, the character at the cursor is selected, the selected character is displayed on the selected character display unit 131, and the cursor is returned to the row selection unit 125 again. When the foot switch SW1 is input, the processor 11 deletes one character from the selected character display unit 131. When the foot switch SW2 is input while the cursor 127 is on the end button 126, the processor 11 ends the character selection screen.

  Therefore, the player first selects the character type he desires by shaking the hand input unit, moves the cursor to the character he wants to select by inputting the button switches SW3 and SW4, and inputs the character by inputting the foot switch SW2. be able to.

  Next, processing executed by the processor 11 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  In the flowchart, a specific on / off signal pattern is represented as a dash command, a jump command, a grab command, or a rope command for convenience of explanation. For details, refer to FIG. 35 described later. .

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of processing executed by the processor 11. Referring to FIG. 10, when the above-described power switch is turned on, in step S1, processor 11 performs system initialization. In this process, all flags used in the process for each application are initialized, and all counters are cleared. Various registers are also initialized.

  In step S <b> 3, the processor 11 executes processing according to the application program stored in the external memory 13. In step S5, the processor 11 stands by until an interrupt due to the video synchronization signal occurs. That is, the processor 11 returns to the same step S5 when the interrupt due to the video synchronization signal has not occurred, and proceeds to step S7 when the interrupt due to the video synchronization signal has occurred. For example, the interruption by the video synchronization signal occurs every 1/60 seconds. In synchronization with this interruption, in step S7 and step S9, the processor 11 updates the image displayed on the screen 100 and reproduces the sound. Then, the processor 11 returns to step S3.

  In response to a signal from the IR receiver 15, an interrupt is generated, and the IR code acquisition process in step S11 is executed.

  FIG. 11 is a screen transition diagram of an application executed by the processor 11. Referring to FIG. 11, processor 11 displays a mode selection screen in step S20, and performs a mode selection process in accordance with the player's input in step S21. In this embodiment, when the athletic game mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S22, and when the exercise support mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S32.

  The athletic game mode is a game in which, as exemplified in FIGS. 4 to 7, a player operates a character on the screen by input and clears athletic stages one by one. Description will be made assuming that the total number of stages is n, and any stage from the first stage to the nth stage is the Nth stage.

  In step S22, the processor 11 sets the game difficulty level and the setting of which mode to play, the production mode in which all stages are executed, the practice mode in which only an arbitrary Nth stage is executed, or to be played. A setting screen to be selected by the player is displayed, a setting process is performed according to the player's input, and the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S <b> 24, the processor 11 displays a screen for inputting the player name as described with reference to FIG. 9, and stores the player name in the external memory 13 in accordance with the player input.

  When the production mode is selected in step S22, the process proceeds to S26-1 and a game screen as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7 is displayed. When the Nth stage displayed in step S26-N is cleared, the process proceeds to step S26- (N + 1), and the N + 1th stage is displayed. Then, when the nth stage displayed in step S26-n is cleared, the process proceeds to step S28, a clear screen is displayed, and then the process proceeds to step S30, where the ranking by the clear time and the name input in step S24 is performed. Display the result display screen.

  When the practice mode is selected in step S22, the process proceeds to step S26-N. When the Nth stage is cleared, the process proceeds to the result display screen in step S30, and the clear time in the Nth stage is displayed.

  A screen transition when the exercise support mode is selected in step S21 and the process proceeds to step S32 will be described. In the exercise support mode, as shown in FIG. 8, an instruction is given to the player through the screen 100 displayed on the television monitor 5, and the manual input unit 7 and the mat switch 3 are operated. It is a screen for encouraging exercise. The total number of courses is m, and an arbitrary course from the 1st course to the mth course is explained as the Mth section.

  In the exercise support mode, there is a mode to display the exercise support screen through the 1st to m-th sections, and a mode to display the exercise support screen of any Mth section, but it is athletic except that there is no clear screen display Since the screen transition is almost the same as in the game mode, the description is omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an execution routine of the jump box game described in FIG. 5 as an example of the Nth stage executed in step S26-N in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 12 and 5, the processor 11 performs an initialization process for the routine such as setting the character position as a start point in step S40. Proceeding to step S41, the background for this stage is displayed.

  In step S43, the processor 11 stands by until a dash command is input. When the dash command is input, the process proceeds to step S45, and a display is performed so as to move while the character 101 is running. In step S47, the processor 11 determines the position of the character 101. If the character 101 has not moved to the position of the jump base object 107 in the screen at the predetermined position, the processor 11 returns to step S43 and inputs a further dash command. Wait for.

  When the character 101 proceeds to the position of the jump base object 107, the processor 11 proceeds to step S51 and checks whether a jump command is input within a predetermined time. When the jump command is input in a predetermined time within a predetermined time, the processor 11 proceeds to step S53, and displays an animation in which the character steps on the jump base object 107 and jumps upward from the jump box object 109.

  In step S55, the processor 11 checks whether a swing command is input within a predetermined time. When the swing command is input with good timing within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S57, and an animation is displayed in which the character 101 uses the hand well and jumps over the jump box object 109. Proceeding to step S59, a screen displayed as clearing the Nth stage is displayed, and the process proceeds to the execution routine for the (N + 1) th stage. If N = n, there is no further stage, and the process proceeds to the clear screen in step S28.

  If the jump command is not input within the predetermined time in step S51, the processor 11 causes the character 101 to hit the jump box object 109, displays an animation that fails to jump, and then proceeds to step S65. Similarly, in step S55, if the swing command is not input within the predetermined time, the character 101 has a stickiness on the jump box object 109 and displays an animation that fails to jump over, and then proceeds to step S65. . In step S65, a continue screen for allowing the player to select whether to start again from the beginning is displayed. In step S67, if the player selects continue, the process returns to step S40, and the Nth stage is started again from the beginning. If the player does not select continue, the game ends.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an execution routine of a game screen for climbing a cliff using the rope described in FIG. 7 as an example of an Nth stage executed in step S26-N.

  Referring to FIGS. 13 and 7, in step S70, processor 11 performs an initialization process for the routine, such as returning the character position to the start point. Proceeding to step S71, the processor 11 displays the background for this screen.

  Proceeding to step S73, the processor 11 waits for a jump command to be input, and when input, proceeds to step S75, and displays an animation in which the character 101 jumps toward the rope object 113.

  Proceeding to step S77, the processor 11 checks whether a grasp command is input within a predetermined time, that is, while the jump animation is displayed. If there is no input within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S91, where the character 101 is displayed to fall to the ground, and the process returns to step S73 again to wait for the jump command input. If the grab command is input with good timing, the process proceeds to step S79, and the character 101 is displayed so as to be grasped and hung by the rope object 113.

In step S81, the processor 11 checks whether the button switches SW3 and SW4 are turned off simultaneously. If both are turned off at the same time, the process proceeds to step S91 to display an animation in which the character 101 falls to the ground, and then returns to step S73. If either SW3 or SW4 is on, the process proceeds to step S83, and the processor 11 waits for a rope command to be input. When the rope command is input, the process proceeds to step S85, and an animation of the character 101 climbing the cliff object 116 by displaying the rope object 113 is displayed. In step S87, the processor 11 checks the position of the character 101. If the character 101 has not reached the predetermined position, that is, the top of the cliff object 116, the process returns to step S81. If the character 101 has reached the predetermined position, the process proceeds to step S89 to display a screen for clearing the Nth stage, and proceeds to an execution routine for the (N + 1) th stage. However, if N = n, there is no more next stage, so the process proceeds to the clear screen in step S28.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an execution routine of the swing motion detection screen described in FIG. 8 as an example of the Mth section executed in step S36-M.

  14 and 8, in step S100, the processor 11 performs an initialization process for the execution routine such as returning the remaining time to an initial value. In step S101, the countdown is started and the remaining time is displayed on the remaining time display unit 115.

  In step S103, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. Only when the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S105, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S105, the inclination flag is changed from “vertical” to “horizontal” or “horizontal” to “vertical”, and the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, the processor 11 determines and displays the animation display of the exercise instruction unit 119 and the exercise instruction character 121 according to the tilt flag.

  Proceeding to step S109, the processor 11 counts the number of on / off signal switching of the vibration sensor 713, and switches the unit calorie stored in the external memory 13 and the on / off signal of the vibration sensor 713 in step S111. Is multiplied by the number and displayed as calorie consumption on the exercise evaluation unit 117.

  In step S113, the processor 11 determines whether the inclination information of the inclination sensor 713 and the inclination flag correspond to “vertical” or “horizontal”. Only when they are different from each other, the process proceeds to step S115, and a display that prompts the player to correct how to move the manual input unit 7 is displayed through the movement instruction unit 119 and the movement instruction character 121, and the process proceeds to step 117. If the inclination information of the inclination sensor 713 is the same as the inclination flag, the process proceeds directly to step S117.

  Proceeding to step S117, the processor 11 returns to step S103 again if the countdown has not ended, and proceeds to step S119 if it has ended. In step S119, the processor 11 displays the M-th item end screen, and moves to the execution routine for the (M + 1) -th item.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the overall flow of the input acceptance process on the character input screen described in FIG. 9 as an example of the data input screen executed in step S24 or step S34.

  Referring to FIG. 15, in step S301, processor 11 performs an initialization process for the character input screen. Specifically, the character type is hiragana, and the position of the cursor 127 is on the line of the line selection unit 125 so that nothing is displayed on the selected character display unit 131. In step S303, the processor 11 performs row selection processing.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an exemplary flow of the row selection process in step S303 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 16, in step S321, processor 11 checks whether there is an input. If not, the process returns to step S321 and waits for an input. Here, the input means a state in which the processor 11 detects that various switches or the vibration sensor 713 has transitioned from off to on. When the vibration sensor 713 is input, the process proceeds to step S323. When the button switch SW4 is input, the process proceeds to step S325. When the button switch SW3 is input, the process proceeds to step S329. When the foot switch SW2 is input. The process proceeds to step S331.

  In step S323, the processor 11 changes the character type, and the display of each character in the character type display unit 123, the line selection unit 125, and the character selection unit 129 is changed to one corresponding to the character type. Then, the process returns again to step S321.

  In step S325, the processor 11 moves the cursor 127 one line to the right, proceeds to step S325, and changes the character string in the character display unit 129 to the character string in the line where the cursor overlaps. Then, the process returns again to step S321. In step S329, the processor 11 moves the cursor 127 to the left one line and performs the same processing.

  In step S331, the processor 11 confirms whether the cursor 127 is overlapped with the end button 126. If so, the process proceeds to step S335, and the character displayed on the selected character display unit 131 is stored in the external memory 13. And the character input screen is terminated. In other cases, the process proceeds to step S333, the cursor 127 is moved over the leftmost character of the character string in the character selection unit 129, the process returns to the flow of FIG. 15, and the process proceeds to the character selection process in step S305.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of character selection processing in step S305 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 17, in step S351, the processor 11 checks whether there is an input. If not, the process returns to step S351 and waits for an input. Here, the input means a state in which the processor 11 detects that various switches or the vibration sensor 713 has transitioned from off to on. When the vibration sensor 713 is input, the process proceeds to step S353. When the button switch SW4 is input, the process proceeds to step S355. When the button switch SW3 is input, the process proceeds to step S357, and the foot switch SW1 is input. The process proceeds to step S359, and if the foot switch SW2 is input, the process proceeds to step S363.

  In step S353, the processor 11 performs a process of switching between muddy sound, semi-voiced sound, and clear sound, and the display of each character in the character selection unit 129 is changed. Then, the process returns to step S351 again.

  In step S355, the processor 11 moves the cursor 127 to the right character and returns to step S351 again. In step S357, the cursor 127 is moved to the left character, and the process returns to step S351 again.

  In step S359, the processor 11 confirms whether or not there is a character displayed on the selected character display unit 131. If there is, the process proceeds to step S361, the character displayed on the rightmost side is erased, and the process returns to step S351. . If not, the process directly returns to step S351.

  In step S363, the processor 11 displays the character on which the cursor 127 overlaps on the selected character display unit 131, proceeds to step S365, returns the cursor 127 to the line selection unit 125, and returns to the flow of FIG.

  Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a modification of the first input means will be described.

  FIG. 18 is an illustration of the first input means in the second embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 18, manual input unit 2 has a gun shape in accordance with a game for handling a gun, and includes a trigger switch SW <b> 5 and an IR light emitting unit 25. The manual input unit 2 is used in place of the manual input unit 7 of FIG. 1, and the other components of the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 are the same.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the manual input unit 2 of FIG. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 19, the manual input unit 7 in FIG. 3 is replaced with the manual input unit 2 in FIG. The trigger switch SW5 is turned on when pulled by the player. The MCU 27 receives the on / off information of the trigger switch SW5, drives the IR light emission unit 25, and transmits the on / off information of the trigger switch SW5 to the IR receiver 15 by IR communication. The reason why the IR light emitting unit 25 is provided on a plurality of surfaces of the manual input unit 2 is to allow the IR to reach the IR receiver 15 regardless of how the manual input unit 2 leans against the player.

  FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of a game screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The game screen of FIG. 20 is a gunfighting game using a gun, and is a game in which a gun can be shot on the screen by pulling the trigger switch SW5 of the manual input unit 2.

  Referring to FIG. 20, the screen 100 includes a player character 201, an enemy object 203, an enemy attack object 205, and a physical strength display unit 207.

  The processor 11 displays the player character 201 on any line on the lines L1 to L3. The processor 11 moves the player character 201 to the left line in response to the input of the foot switch SW1. The processor 11 does not move when the player character 201 is already on the line L1. Similarly, the processor 11 moves the player character 201 to the right one line according to the input of the foot switch SW2. The processor 11 does not move when the player character 201 is already on the line L3.

  The processor 11 displays the enemy object 203 at random on the lines L1 to L3. Further, the processor 11 performs display such that the enemy attack object 205 comes toward the character 201 at regular intervals along the line where the enemy object 203 is displayed. Further, when the character 201 is at the same position as the enemy attack object 205, the character 201 is displayed to have been attacked, and a display to extinguish one heart of the physical strength display unit 207 is performed. Furthermore, when the heart of the physical strength display unit 207 is exhausted, the game is ended.

  The processor 11 displays that the player character 201 shoots a gun in response to the ON signal of the trigger switch SW5. If the position of the enemy object 203 is on the same line as the player character 201 at that moment, then the enemy object 203 is displayed. Even if the position of is changed, the bullet object flies in a straight or curved trajectory toward the enemy object 203, hits the enemy object 203, and displays to disappear.

  Therefore, the player can move the character 201 left and right by pressing the foot switches SW1 and SW2, can avoid the enemy attack object 205, or can catch the enemy object 203 in the front, and can set the trigger switch SW5. By pulling, it is possible to cause the character 201 to shoot a gun and attack the enemy object 203 in the front.

  FIG. 21 is another exemplary view of a game screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A screen 100 in FIG. 21 is a music game screen, and can be highly evaluated by inputting the foot switches SW1 and SW2 and the trigger switch SW5 in a timely manner in accordance with the music section.

  Referring to FIG. 21, screen 100 includes moving objects 211L, 211M, and 211R, and timing instruction units 213L, 213M, and 213R. Hereinafter, the moving objects 211L, 211M, and 211R may be collectively referred to as the moving object 211, and the timing instruction units 213L, 213M, and 213R may be collectively referred to as the timing instruction unit 213. The processor 11 moves the moving object 211 toward the corresponding timing instruction unit 213 according to the music, and displays the moving object 211 so as to overlap the timing instruction unit 213. Whether the processor 11 receives the foot switch SW1 while the moving object 211L overlaps the timing instruction unit 213L, or receives the trigger switch SW5 while the moving object 211M overlaps the timing instruction unit 213M, When the foot switch SW2 is input while the moving object 211R overlaps the timing instruction unit 213R, a score (not shown) is added.

  Accordingly, while enjoying the music, the player inputs a corresponding foot switch SW1 and SW2 and trigger switch SW5 while each moving object 211 overlaps each timing instruction unit 213, thereby obtaining a high score in the game. You can get it. According to this configuration, unlike a music game using only a conventional mat switch that only requires steps, a dance game can be executed that also incorporates input from the first input device held by the hand.

  FIG. 22 is another exemplary view of the first input means in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 22, the manual input unit 8 is assumed to be used when the program executed by the information processing device is a tennis game, and has a tennis racket shape in accordance with the tennis game. A button switch SW6 and an IR light emitting unit 85 are included. The IR issuing unit 85 is disposed in the vicinity of the head portion of the grip portion of the tennis racket. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to the IR light-emitting unit 85, the IR light-emitting unit 85 is provided so that infrared light reaches the IR receiver 15 regardless of the orientation of the manual input unit. It is also arranged on the back side of the grip portion near the head portion and on the frame top of the head portion.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the manual input unit 8. In the following description, the manual input unit 7 in FIG. 3 is replaced with the manual input unit 8 in FIG.

  3 and 23, the manual input unit 8 includes a button switch SW6, an acceleration sensor 811, an MCU 81, and an IR light emitting unit 85. When the button switch SW6 is pressed, it is turned on. The acceleration sensor 811 is, for example, a sensor using a piezo element, detects acceleration when the hand input unit 8 is shaken, and outputs acceleration information. The MCU 83 receives the acceleration information of the button switch SW6 and the acceleration sensor 811, drives the IR light emitting unit 85, and transmits the acceleration information of the button switch SW6 and the acceleration sensor 811 to the IR receiver 15 (see FIG. 3) by IR communication. To do.

  In this example, by using an input device in which the manual input unit 8 and the mat unit 3 are used together, for example, the processor 11 detects whether or not the manual input unit 8 is shaken by the acceleration sensor 811, and when acceleration is detected. In addition, it is possible to execute an application in which the characters on the screen are displayed so as to swing the racket at the same time, and the speed of swinging the racket and the speed of hitting the ball are changed according to the magnitude of acceleration at that time. Further, if the processor 11 is configured to perform processing such as moving the character on the screen to the left or right according to the input of the foot switches SW1 and SW2, the ball returned by the enemy character whose movement is controlled by the CPU. An unprecedented tennis game in which the player moves the character to an appropriate position and shakes the hand input unit 8 at an appropriate timing to cause the character to play a racket. can do.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the process flow corresponding to step S3 in the overall process flow of the processor 11 described with reference to FIG. 10 when the shootout game described with reference to FIG. 20 is executed. is there.

  Referring to FIGS. 24 and 20, the processor 11 controls the movement of the enemy object 203 and the enemy attack object 205 in step S402. That is, when the enemy object 203 is not displayed on the screen 100, the enemy object 203 is set to appear. When the enemy object 203 is on the screen 100, processing for changing the position data of the enemy object 203 in order of the lines L1, L2, and L3 and processing for performing an attack operation are performed every predetermined time. When the enemy object 203 is attacked, the enemy attack object 205 is generated on the screen 100, and the position data of the enemy attack object 205 is obtained toward the player character 201 along the line L1, L2, or L3. Perform the process of changing. Here, the position data refers to data that the processor 11 refers to in order to determine a position for displaying various objects during the screen update process in step S7 of the flow of FIG.

  In step S404, the processor 11 controls the movement of the player character 201 in response to an input from the player.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the player character control process in step S404 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 25, in step S412, the processor 11 waits for an input from the player. If there is no input, the process does not proceed from step S412. When the foot switch SW1 is input, the process proceeds to step S414. In step S414, the processor 11 checks the position data of the player character 201. If the position data of the player character 201 is on the line L1, nothing is done and the process returns to the flow of FIG. If it is not on the line L1, the process proceeds to step S416. If the position data of the player character 201 is on the line L2, the player character 201 is on the line L1, and if it is on the line L3, the player L is on the line L2. After the position data of the character 201 is changed to the left one line, the process returns.

  If the trigger switch SW5 is input in step S412, the processor 11 proceeds to step S418 and turns on the attack flag. Next, the process proceeds to step S420, in which an action for the player character 201 to shoot a gun and an animation in which a bullet object appears and flies to the enemy object 203 side and disappears at a predetermined point on the screen 100 are displayed. The setting is made and the process returns to the flow of FIG.

  If the foot switch SW2 is input in step S412, the processor 11 proceeds to step S422 and checks the position data of the player character 201. If the position data of the player character 201 is on the line L3, the process returns to the flow of FIG. 24 without doing anything. If it is not on the line L3, the process proceeds to step S424. If the position data of the player character 201 is on the line L1, the line is on the line L2, and if it is on the line L2, the line is on the line L3. After the position data of the player character 201 is changed to one right line, the process returns to the flow of FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 24, the process proceeds to step S <b> 408 to perform an attack determination process, that is, a determination process of whether the bullet fired by the player character 201 has hit the enemy object 203.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the attack determination process in step S408 of FIG.

  Proceeding to step S431, the processor 11 checks whether or not the attack flag is on. If it is on, the processor 11 proceeds to step S433, and if it is off, the processor 11 proceeds to step S438.

  Proceeding to step S433, the processor 11 refers to the position data of the player character 201 and the position data of the enemy object 203, respectively, and confirms whether they are on the same line. If they are on the same line, the process proceeds to step S435. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S438.

  When proceeding to step S435, the processor 11 turns on the hit flag and turns off the attack flag. When the hit flag is turned on, the movement of the bullet object is set so that the bullet object flies toward the enemy object 203 and disappears at the display position of the enemy object 203. Then, the process proceeds to step S436, and after incrementing the hit number, the process proceeds to step S438.

  In step S438, the processor 11 checks whether the hit flag is on. If it is on, the processor 11 proceeds to step S440, and if it is off, the processor 11 returns to the flow of FIG.

  In step S440, it is checked whether the bullet object has reached the position of the enemy object 203. If it has reached, the process proceeds to step S444, where the spark is displayed at the display position of the enemy object 203, the enemy object 203 is set to disappear, the hit flag is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S446. Otherwise, the process returns to the flow of FIG.

  In step S446, the processor 11 checks whether the hit number has reached a predetermined number X. If it has not been reached, the process directly returns, and if it has been reached, the process proceeds to step S448, the setting for displaying the clear screen is performed on the screen 100, and the process returns to the flow of FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 24, the process proceeds to step S <b> 410, where the processor 11 determines damage determination processing, that is, whether the enemy attack object 205 has hit the player character 201.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the damage determination process in step S410 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 27, in step S451, the processor 11 checks whether or not the enemy attack object 205 exists on the screen 100. If it exists, the processor 11 proceeds to step S453, and if not, proceeds to step S465.

  In step S453, the position data of the player character 201 and the position data of the enemy attack object 205 are referred to. If they are at the same position, the process proceeds to step S453. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S465.

  In step S455, the processor 11 sets the enemy attack object 205 to disappear and the player character 201 performs a damaged action, and proceeds to step S459. In step S459, the remaining physical strength data is decremented and set to extinguish one heart of the physical strength display unit 207.

  Proceeding to step S461, if the remaining physical strength becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S463, the setting is performed to display the game over screen, and the process proceeds to step S465. If the remaining physical strength is other than 0, the process proceeds directly to S465.

  In step S465, the processor 11 checks whether or not the determination process has been completed for all enemy attack objects 205 on the screen 100. If not, the process returns to step S453 to continue the determination process. Return to the flow.

  Returning to FIG. 24, when the process of step S410 ends, the processor 11 returns to the flow of FIG. If the clear screen has been set in step S448 or if step S463 has been set, the respective shooting screens are displayed, and then this shootout game is terminated.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing flow corresponding to step S3 in the overall processing flow of the processor 11 described in FIG. 10 when the music game described in FIG. 21 is executed. .

  Referring to FIG. 28 and FIG. 21, in step S202, the processor 11 controls the background and performs settings for displaying the background so as to change according to the music. Proceeding to step S204, the music is controlled, and what sound is played is set according to the score data stored in the external memory 13 so that the music flows during the music game. In step S206, the moving object 211 is controlled.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the moving object control process of FIG. Referring to FIG. 29, in step S220, the processor 11 moves the moving objects 211L, 211M, etc. according to the moving object appearance pattern data stored in the external memory 13. Settings are made to make each 211R appear from a predetermined state. The appearance pattern data is created in accordance with the musical score data, and the moving object 211 overlaps the timing instruction unit 213 in accordance with the music section.

  In step S222, the processor 11 moves the moving objects 211L, 211M, and 211R displayed on the screen toward the corresponding timing instruction units 213L, 213M, and 213R at a constant speed, and outputs timing instructions. It is set so as to disappear after passing through the part 213. Then, in step S224, a determination process for determining whether or not an input from the player has been made is executed corresponding to the moving object 211 that has reached the timing instruction unit 213, and the process returns to the flow of FIG.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the determination process in step S224 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 30, in step S240, processor 11 determines whether at least one moving object 211 is within the hit range. If not, the process returns to the flow of FIG. The hit range may be a moment when the moving object 211 and the timing instruction unit 213 completely overlap if the game is difficult, or if it is simple, the moving object 211 may overlap the timing instruction unit 213 even slightly. You can do it all the time.

  If it is determined in step S240 that there is a moving object in the hit range, the process proceeds to step S242. If the moving object in the hit range is the moving object 211L, the foot switch SW1, if it is 211M, the trigger switch SW5, if it is 211R, the foot switch SW2 Is determined to be input (assuming that the input signal has transitioned from OFF to ON). If it is determined that there is no input, the process returns to the flow of FIG. If it is determined that there is an input, the process proceeds to step S244.

  In step S244, the processor 11 performs setting for displaying the hit effect animation and setting for generating the hit sound, and proceeds to step S246. In step S246, the processor 11 performs a process of adding points, and proceeds to step S250. In step S250, the processor 11 performs a process of eliminating the moving object, and returns to the flow of FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 28, when the moving object control process of step S206 is completed, the processor 11 proceeds to step S208, checks whether or not the music has ended, and ends the dance game if the music has ended. If the music has not ended yet, the process returns to the flow of FIG.

  As described above, the appearance of the first input device and the built-in switch or sensor may be changed according to the program to be executed.

  A single input, such as the first input device having only the trigger switch SW5 as in the manual input unit 2 or the first input means having only the acceleration sensor 811 as in the manual input unit 8. Even in the first input device including the signal generating means, the effects described in the first embodiment of the present invention can be obtained by using the mat unit 3 together. For the player, there is also an advantage that the on / off switching of the input is easy to understand and the operation becomes simple.

  Also, when executing a dance game program, unlike a music game using only a mat switch that only requires steps, a music game that also incorporates input from the first input device held by the hand can be executed. it can.

  Also, when executing a shootout game, if the player character 201 is moved to the left and right and the trigger switch SW5 is pulled at the right time instead of making an input toward fine points on the screen, the bullet object becomes the enemy character 203. Therefore, it is possible to provide a shooting game in which a player (such as an infant) who is unfamiliar with the operation is easy to handle and can easily hit a bullet object while moving a limb. In addition, since such a trajectory is drawn on the screen by the processing of the information processing apparatus, it is possible to aim at the enemy object 203 and obtain a pleasant feeling that the bullet object hits properly. Also, since the standing position of the player character 201 in the screen can be changed by inputting from the mat unit 3 while hitting a gun by the manual input unit 2, it is also intuitive to avoid the enemy character 203 and the enemy attack object 205. Easy to understand.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, all or a part of the first input means is imaged, the movement of the first input means is detected, and the detection result is used as an input signal.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 31, information processing unit 4 corresponding to information processing unit 1 in FIG. 1 is equipped with a detachable cartridge 402 on which imaging unit 404 is mounted, and is connected to television monitor 5 through AV cable 9. Adapter 401. The adapter 401 includes an IR receiver (not shown). The mat unit 600 corresponds to the mat unit 3 of FIG. 1 and includes foot switches SW7 to SW10. Further, unlike the mat unit 3, the mat unit 600 is independent of the information processing unit 4 and transmits an input signal to the information processing unit 4 by infrared light, and thus includes an IR transmission unit 601. The IR transmission unit 601 includes a power switch 603 and an IR light emission unit 605. The first input device 6 includes a retroreflector 61 having a retroreflective sheet attached to the tip.

  The information processing unit 4 is placed in a range where infrared light from the IR transmission unit 603 of the mat unit 600 reaches the IR receiver and the retroreflector 61 can be imaged by the imaging unit 404.

  FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the imaging unit 404 of FIG.

  With reference to FIG. 32, an imaging unit 404 is attached to the cartridge 402. The imaging unit 404 includes four IR light emitting diodes 406 and an IR filter 408 that allows only infrared light to pass, and includes an image sensor 409 (described later) on the back side of the IR filter 408.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the information processing unit 4, the manual input unit 6, and the mat unit 600.

  Referring to FIG. 33, mat unit 600 includes an MCU 607, an IR light emitting unit 605, and foot switches SW7 to SW10. The MCU 607 receives the ON / OFF signal of the SW10 from the foot switch SW7, drives the IR light emitting unit 605, and transmits the ON / OFF information of the button switches SW7 to SW10 to the IR receiver of the information processing unit 4 by IR communication. To do.

  The cartridge 402 of the information processing unit 4 further includes a processor 11, a processor 41 corresponding to the external memory 13, and an external memory 43. The processor 41 intermittently drives the four IR light emitting diodes 406 to perform strobe shooting, and intermittently emits infrared light. The IR from the IR light emitting diode 406 is reflected by the retroreflector 81 and is input to the image sensor 409 via the infrared filter 408. Therefore, the image sensor 409 outputs an image signal including the retroreflector 61 (when the infrared light is lit) to the processor 41. Since the IR light emitting diode 406 is driven intermittently, the image sensor 409 also outputs an image signal when the infrared light is extinguished.

  These analog image signals from the image sensor 409 are converted into digital image signals by an A / D converter built in the processor 41. The processor 41 obtains a difference between the digital image signal when the infrared light is turned on and the digital image signal when the infrared light is turned off, and analyzes the movement of the retroreflector 61 based on the difference signal DI (difference image DI). Thus, by obtaining the difference, noise due to light other than the reflected light from the retroreflector 61 can be removed as much as possible, and the retroreflector 61 can be detected with high accuracy.

  Based on the analysis result of the motion of the retroreflector 61 and the on / off signals of the foot switches SW7 to SW10, the processor 41 performs other operations, graphic processing, sound processing, and the like, and outputs a video signal and an audio signal. To do. The video signal and the audio signal generated by the processor 41 are given to the television monitor 5 via the adapter 405 and the AV cable 9, and the television monitor 5 has been described in the first and second embodiments. An image is displayed, and sound is output from the speaker (not shown).

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, if the player wants to move the lower body of the character 101, he / she moves his / her foot and inputs with the mat unit 3 or 600. Since an input can be performed by the hand input unit 2, 6, 7 or 8 by moving the hand, an intuitive operation is possible.

  The player can move the character (character 101 or player character 201) on the screen by moving his / her foot, jumping over the jump box to the character on the screen by moving his hand, grabbing a rope, shooting a gun, racket You can behave such as shaking. Since humans usually use their feet to move, use tools, grab things, shake things, or throw things with their hands, players must operate intuitively. Can do. In addition, it is possible to give a realistic feeling to the player.

  Note that 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.

  In the above embodiment, the hand input unit 2, 6, 7, 8 or the imaging unit 404 is used to detect the movement of the player's hand. Not limited to. For example, an input unit that moves a player's hand using a tilt sensor such as a gyroscope, a gravity sensor, or the like may be used. When a gyroscope or the like is used for the tilt sensor, more detailed tilt information can be obtained, and the range of applications executed by the information processing apparatus is expanded.

  Further, for example, as a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, the hand input unit 6 may be made small so as to be hidden when it is grasped with a hand.

  FIG. 34 is an exemplary view of a retroreflector 62 which is a modified example of the manual input unit 6.

  Referring to FIG. 34, the retroreflector 62 is hidden in the finger when the hand is held, and therefore cannot be reflected in the imaging unit 404. If this characteristic is used, the image of the retroreflector 62 may or may not appear in the imaging unit 404 when the player holds or opens the hand, and this can be used as an on / off input switch. . If it does in this way, a player can input by simple operation of holding a hand or opening.

  As yet another modification, for example, instead of the hand input unit 6, a retroreflective sheet is attached to an exercise tool that is held and used by a hand, and the movement of the exercise tool is detected by the imaging means, thereby The movement of the hand may be detected and used as an input.

  In the above embodiment, the second input means for detecting the stepping motion of the player is the foot switch SW1, SW2, or SW7 to SW10 included in the mat unit 3, 600, but the number of foot switches is these. It is not limited to.

  Further, the second input means for detecting the movement of the player's foot is not limited to the mat unit including the foot switch, and is a method for detecting the stepping motion of the player by installing a pressure sensor in shoes worn by the player. May be. In addition, every time you perform a stepping motion, a switch is provided with a circuit that generates an on / off signal, a pressure-sensitive sensor, or a motion analysis of the exercise device by imaging. By doing so, it is possible to prepare to output an on / off signal and detect the stepping action of the player. Of course, the attachment to be worn on the player's foot may include various sensors such as an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a vibration sensor, or a gravity sensor to detect the movement of the player's foot. It may be mounted, and the movement of the subject is detected by imaging to obtain an input.

  The first input means and the second input means may be generally used as input devices for various information processing apparatuses, and may not be dedicated to specific information processing apparatuses.

  There may be various input patterns in addition to the above-described embodiments and the input patterns described with reference to FIG. There may be an input pattern that requires input from the first input device and input from the foot input device at the same time.

  There may be two or more first input means, and the left and right hands may have different first input means, or different types of first input devices may be changed according to the situation.

  In the above embodiment, the energy consumption by the input operation of the player may be calculated according to the input from the first input means and the second input means of the player.

  If comprised in this way, the player can grasp | ascertain how much the input operation | movement is moving. In this case, the average unit consumption energy amount obtained by experience in advance when each input action is performed is stored in the external memory 13 and multiplied by the number of input actions of the player to obtain the consumed energy. Calculate it.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the information processing apparatus by embodiment of this invention. The figure which looked at the manual input unit 7 of FIG. 1 from the information-processing part 1 side, ie, the ground side, in the state which the player hold | gripped. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an information processing unit 1, a mat unit 3, and a manual input unit 7 in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exemplary view of another screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view showing still another screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view showing still another screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view showing still another screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a view showing still another screen displayed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the whole flow of the process which the processor 11 performs. The screen transition figure of the application which the processor 11 performs. The flowchart which shows the execution routine of the jump box game demonstrated in FIG. 5 as an example of the Nth stage performed by step S26-N of FIG. The flowchart which shows the execution routine of the game screen which climbs a cliff using the rope demonstrated in FIG. 7 as an example of the Nth stage performed by step S26-N of FIG. The flowchart which shows the execution routine of the swing exercise | movement detection screen demonstrated in FIG. 8 as an example of the Mth section performed by step S36-M of FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an overall flow of input reception processing on the character input screen described in FIG. 9 as an example of a data input screen executed in steps S24 and S34. FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the row selection process of step S303 of FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the character selection process of FIG.15 S305. The illustration figure of the 1st input means in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the internal structure of the manual input unit 2. FIG. The illustration figure of the game screen by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The other illustration figure of the game screen by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The other example figure of the 1st input means in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the internal structure of the manual input unit 8 of FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process flow corresponding to step S3 in the overall process flow of the processor 11 described with reference to FIG. 10 when executing the shooting game described with reference to FIG. 20; The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the player character control process of step S404 of FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process of the attack determination of step S408 of FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the damage determination process of FIG.24 S410. FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process flow corresponding to step S3 in the overall process flow of the processor 11 described in FIG. 10 when the music game described in FIG. 21 is executed; The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the moving object control process of FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of determination processing in step S224 of FIG. 29. The figure which shows the usage example of the information processing apparatus using the input device by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the imaging unit 404 in FIG. 31. The figure explaining the electrical structure of the information processing part 4, the manual input unit 6, and the mat unit 600. FIG. The figure explaining the retroreflector 62 which is a modification of the manual input unit 6. FIG. The figure explaining the input command of the player in 1st Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 4 ... Information processing apparatus 3, 600 ... Matt unit, 5 ... Television monitor, 2, 6, 7, 8 ... Manual input unit, 711 ... Tilt sensor, 713 ... Vibration sensor, 811 ... Acceleration sensor, 404 ... Imaging unit

Claims (12)

A first input means for detecting the movement of the hand in the three-dimensional space of the player and performing an input according to the result of the detection;
A second input means for detecting the movement of the foot in the three-dimensional space of the player and performing an input according to the detection result;
Action control means for controlling a character in the screen to perform a predetermined action in response to an input from the first input means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: position control means for controlling position information of the character in response to an input from the second input means. A first input means for detecting the movement of the hand in the three-dimensional space of the player and performing an input according to the detection result;
Second input means for detecting a movement of the foot in the three-dimensional space of the player and performing an input according to the detection result;
Character control means for controlling the movement of the upper body of the character on the screen in accordance with the input from the first input means, and for controlling the movement of the lower body of the character in accordance with the input from the second input means. An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first input unit includes a first imaging unit that images the hand of the player.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second input unit includes a second imaging unit that images the foot of the player.   5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first input unit includes one or any combination of an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a vibration sensor, and a gravity sensor for detecting the movement of the player's hand. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second input means includes one or any combination of an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a vibration sensor, and a gravity sensor for detecting the movement of the foot of the player. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second input unit includes a stepping detection unit that detects a stepping motion of the player.   8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a consumed energy calculating unit that calculates energy consumed by the movement of the player based on respective inputs from the first input unit and the second input unit. Information processing device.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first input unit includes a grip portion for a player to grip with both hands.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the grip portion includes a switch that is turned on when the grip portion is pressed. The first input means includes
A plurality of transmission means for transmitting an operation signal corresponding to the movement of the player's hand;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the transmission units face different directions.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transmission unit is an infrared light emitting diode.