WO2016121846A2 - Frame, and readout device to be placed on frame - Google Patents

Abstract

　The problem addressed by the present invention is to facilitate the playing of board games in combination with mobile terminals. A frame 1 is equipped with: a circle dot ring 21 which is a first region on which is formed an ID code that specifies the ID of said frame 1; a hole part 22 that is a second region that can capture a separate medium (the board of a board game, for example) on which a dot pattern is formed which defines coordinate values and/or code values; and a loading table 23 on which is placed a readout device having at least a readout function that captures and reads out both an ID code and a dot pattern, so as to be able to capture images of the first region and the second region.

Description

Frame and reading device placed on frame

The present invention relates to a frame and a reading device placed on the frame.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are game devices that place a piece on a board and execute a game (hereinafter referred to as “board game”).
In such a game device, in order to recognize a frame on the board, an imaging device is separately arranged at a venue or the like where the game device is stationary (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-090551 A

However, it may be difficult to arrange the camera from the viewpoint of the structure, design, usage environment, cost, and the like of the game device.
For example, in an environment where a board is placed on a desk at home or the like, and a mobile terminal such as a smartphone is used as a game device to play a board game, a camera for monitoring the frames on the board is separately arranged. Is not realistic.
Therefore, it is required to make it possible to easily realize a game of a board game in combination with simple frame recognition means and a portable terminal, a tablet, a PC, a game machine or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to make it possible to easily realize a game of a board game in combination with a portable terminal, a tablet, a PC, a game machine, or the like.

In order to achieve the above object, the top of one aspect of the present invention is:
A first area in which an ID code for identifying a frame ID is formed;
A second area in which a different medium on which a dot pattern in which at least one of a coordinate value and a code value is defined is formed can be imaged,
A mounting unit that mounts a reading device having at least a reading function that images and reads both an ID code and a dot pattern so that the first region and the second region can be imaged;
It is characterized by providing.

The second region is a region that is provided in the mounting portion and transmits light necessary for imaging the other medium,
The first region is a region provided to surround the second region or to surround the second region in the mounting portion.
be able to.

In the first area, a dot pattern in which at least one of a coordinate value and a code value is defined is formed,
The ID code is specified by one or more dot patterns.
be able to.

A reading device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:
A reading device placed on the frame described in the above aspect,
A reading unit that images and reads both the ID code and the dot pattern in a state of being placed on the frame;
It is characterized by providing.

An operation unit that is disposed on the opposite side of the reading unit in a state where the reading device is placed on the frame, and is operated by a user;
be able to.

The operation unit includes a button pressed by the user,
be able to.

Further comprising an activation unit that activates at least the reading unit on the condition that the reading device is placed on the frame;
be able to.

The activation unit includes a switch that is turned on when the reading device is placed on the frame and turned off when the placement is released.
be able to.

A transmission unit that transmits the information read by the reading unit to an external device;
be able to.

The apparatus may further include an output unit that outputs at least one of voice, light, characters, and graphics corresponding to the information read by the reading unit.

A control unit that executes control to change a time interval of reading timing in the reading unit;
be able to.

The control unit further detects the presence or absence of movement of the reading device placed on the frame, and executes control to change the time interval based on the detection result;
be able to.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily implement a board game in combination with a mobile terminal, a tablet, a PC, a game machine, or the like.

It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance structure of the information processing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an external configuration of a frame on which a pen-type device is placed in the information processing system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an outline view showing an example of an external configuration of a frame on which the pen-type device of FIG. 2 is placed. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the internal structure of the top | top | piece in which the pen type device of FIG. 2 was mounted. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the cross-sectional structure of the top | top | piece of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of the pen-type device of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the starting state of the pen-type device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the transmission information transmitted from the pen-type device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the circle dot ring in which the circle dot was formed. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the method of the definition of the code | symbol of a circle dot. A specific example of a circle dot creation method is shown. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a board among the information processing systems of FIG. FIG. 4A is a first example, FIG. 2B is a second example, FIG. 1C is a third example, and FIG. d) shows a fourth example, and FIG. 9 (e) shows a fifth example. This is for explaining an embodiment of a dot code assignment format, in which FIG. (A) is a first example, FIG. (B) is a second example, and (c) is a third example. Each one is shown. It is for describing an embodiment of a first example (“GRID0”) of a dot pattern, in which FIG. (A) is a first general purpose example, (b) is a second general purpose example, and FIG. FIG. 3C shows a third general example. 15 corresponds to FIG. 15 and is for explaining a modification of the dot pattern (GRID0). FIG. 15A shows the first modification, FIG. 15B shows the second modification, c) shows a third modification. This is for explaining a modification of the dot pattern (GRID0). FIG. 9A shows a fourth modification, and at the same time, an embodiment of the second example of the dot pattern (“GRID1”) is explained. FIG. 5B shows a fifth modification, and FIG. 6C shows a sixth modification. It is for demonstrating the connection example thru | or connection example of a dot pattern (GRID0, 1), the same figure (a) is a connection example of a dot pattern (GRID0, 1), and the same figure (b) is a dot pattern (GRID0). The first connection examples are respectively shown. Continuing on from FIG. 18, this figure shows a second connection example of the dot pattern (GRID0). It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating how to obtain | require the center when arrangement | positioning of a dot pattern (GRID1) changes. Third example of dot pattern (for explaining the embodiment of “GRID5”, FIG. 8A is a first general-purpose example, FIG. 10B is a second general-purpose example, FIG. (C) shows a third general-purpose example. This is for explaining a modification of the dot pattern (a special example “direction dot” of GRID5), in which (a) is a first modification and (b) is a second modification. FIG. 3C shows a third modification. This is for explaining a modification of the dot pattern (direction dot). FIG. 10A shows a fourth modification, and FIG. 10B shows a fifth modification. This is for explaining a modification of the dot pattern (direction dot). FIG. 9A shows a sixth modification, and FIG. 7B shows a seventh modification. This is for explaining a modification of the dot pattern (GRID5). FIG. 9A shows an eighth modification, and FIG. 9B shows a ninth modification. This is for explaining the reading of the dot pattern. FIG. 9A shows a first reading example, and FIG. 10B shows a second reading example. Continuing from FIG. 26, the dot pattern reading is described, and FIG. 26 shows a third reading example. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing another example of the board, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a format of a dot pattern printed on the board.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Outline of information processing system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The information processing system shown in FIG. 1 (a) is a system that makes it easy to play a board game. The frames 1-1 and 1-2, the pen-type device 2, the board 3, and the portable terminal 4 are used. -1 and 4-2. In FIG. 1B, frames 1-1 to 1-6, pen-type devices 2-1 and 2-2, a board 3, and a tablet PC 4 are provided.

In the example of FIG. 1 (a), each of the users U1 and U2 uses the frames 1-1 and 1-2 as their own pieces and operates the mobile terminals 4-1 and 4-2 with their own operations. A predetermined board game (in the example of FIG. 1 (a), sugoroku) is executed as a terminal for use.
In the example of FIG. 1B, each of the users U1 and U2 uses the frames 1-1 to 1-3, 1-4 to 1-6 and the pen-type devices 2-1 and 2-2 as their pens. A predetermined board game (in the example of FIG. 1B) is executed using the tablet device 4 as a holding device and using the tablet PC 4 as a terminal for the game progress / instruction screen.

Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the users U1 and U2, they are collectively referred to as “user U”. In this case, frames 1-1 and 1-2 are collectively referred to as “frame 1”, and portable terminals 4-1 and 4-2 are collectively referred to as portable terminal 4. If there are N users U, there may be three or more N people. Furthermore, the user U is playing with one board 3 at the same place, but the boards 3-1 to 3 -N at different places, each with his own pen-type device 2 and the piece 1-1 (even if there are multiple pieces). (Good), 1-2 (may be plural). In this case, the boards may not necessarily have the same design and the same dot code, and the dot pattern may be formed, and the number of frames used by each person is also free. For example, in the case of a battle game, the board may be a frame that moves a fighter plane, and the board may be defined by position information that can be moved by the fighter plane. Of course, the map or the like of the area may be superimposed and printed with the dot code so that the frames can be arranged intuitively. Furthermore, the board may be a controller. Each fighter may have various attacking means, and the control method may be different.
Note that the numbers of the user U, the top 1, and the mobile terminal 4 are the same two in the example of FIG. 1 (a) (one top 1 for one user U). However, the present invention is not limited to the example of FIG. 1 and can be any number independent of each other.

During execution of the board game, the user U places his shared pen-type device 2 on his / her top 1 in the order of his / her play (in the example of FIG. 1A, the top 1 of the user U1). -1), the frame 1 is moved on the board 3.
Although details will be described later, the frame 1 is a first area in which an ID code for identifying the frame 1 is formed (in this example, a circle dot ring 21 in FIG. 5 described later) and the board 3 can be imaged. 2 regions (in this example, a hole 22 in FIG. 5 described later) and a mounting unit that mounts the first region and the second region so as to be imaged (in this example, a mounting unit in FIG. 5 described later) 23). Although not shown in the drawing, the first area may be provided with a minimum barcode or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) in the vicinity of the second area.

In addition, a dot pattern in which at least one of a coordinate value and a code value is defined in an area 31 where the frame 1 may be placed on the board 3 (for example, each square in the case of an amazing board game). Is formed. As shown in FIG. 28 (a), the area where the frame 1 may be arranged may be the entire board 3, in which case the coordinate value and the board number are at least part of the code value. It is desirable to form. As a result, the position information of the frame 1 placed on the board 3-i (i = 1 to N) can be recognized no matter where the board 3-i (i = 1 to N) is placed. Furthermore, a cell number (mask number) for specifying the cell may be defined in at least a part of the code value. The mass may have any shape. FIG. 28B shows a dot code format in which a board number, a mask number, and coordinate values are defined. Arbitrary information can be defined as the code value in addition to the board number and the mask number, and height information or the like can be defined as the Z value, although not shown, as the coordinate value.

Here, the “dot pattern” means an information code encoded by a plurality of dot arrangement algorithms.
As the encoding algorithm of the information code by the dot pattern, a well-known algorithm such as Grid Onput (registered trademark) by Gridmark, Anoto pattern by Anoto, or the like can be used.
The dot pattern encoding algorithm itself is not particularly limited because it is common for reading with visible light and for reading with infrared light.
In addition to this, any dot pattern may be used as long as it is invisible or can be recognized as a simple pattern.
In addition, by defining coordinate values for dot patterns, different information codes can be encoded depending on the reading position.

When the frame 1 is inserted and placed in the predetermined area 31 of the board 3, the pen-type device 2 captures and reads the ID code formed in the first area of the frame 1, and the second of the frame 1. The dot pattern of the board 3 is imaged through the area, and the coordinate value and code value defined in the dot pattern are read.
The pen-type device 2 transmits the information read in this way to the mobile terminal 4.
The portable terminal 4 includes a smartphone, a tablet, a PC, a game machine, and the like, and executes various processes necessary for the progress of the board game using the information transmitted from the pen-type device 2.
For example, since the ID code is formed in the first area of the frame 1 among the information transmitted from the pen-type device 2, the mobile terminal 4 identifies the frame 1 from the ID code. That is, in the example of FIG. 1A, it is specified from the ID code that the frame 1 placed on the pen-type device 2 is the frame 1-1.
Of the information transmitted from the pen-type device 2, the coordinate value and code value (dot code) are recognized from the dot pattern formed in the area 31 on the board 3 where the frame 1 is arranged. . Therefore, the mobile terminal 4 has the arrangement position of the frame 1 on the board 3 (the position of the area 31 where the frame 1 is arranged), information associated with the arrangement position (area 31), etc. (with the dot pattern of the area 31). Information associated with the defined code value).
And the portable terminal 4 performs various processes required for progress of a board game, etc. using the specified information etc. suitably.
Note that the pen-type device 2 may include an output unit that outputs voice, light, characters, and graphics in conjunction with the ID code, the dot code read from the board 3, and the progress of the game. The output means is, for example, a speaker, LED, or display.

In this way, by applying the information processing system of the present embodiment, the user U places the board 3 on a desk such as in the home and uses the mobile terminal 4 such as a smartphone as a game device, for example. Now, you can run a board game.
In this case, there is no need to separately arrange a large-scale device such as a camera for monitoring the frame 1 on the board 3 as in the prior art.
As described above, by applying the information processing system of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily realize the game of the board game in combination with the mobile terminal 4 of FIG. 1A or the tablet PC 4 of FIG. .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an external configuration of the top 1 on which the pen-type device 2 is placed.
FIG. 3 is an outline view showing an example of the external configuration of the top 1 on which the pen-type device 2 is placed.
Specifically, FIG. 3A is a first side view of the top 1 on which the pen-type device 2 is placed. FIG. 3B is a second side view of the top 1 on which the pen-type device 2 is placed. FIG. 3C is a third side view of the top 1 on which the pen-type device 2 is placed. FIG. 3D is a bottom view of the top 1 on which the pen-type device 2 is placed. FIG. 3E is a top view of the top 1 on which the pen-type device 2 is placed.

In the following description, in the frame 1 on which the pen-type device 2 is placed, the side on which the frame 1 is arranged is set as the lower side, and the opposite side is set as the upper side. That is, the top 1 is arranged on the board 3 when the lower surface (the surface shown in FIG. 3D) is in contact with the board 3 of FIG.
The top 1 of this embodiment has a truncated cone shape. A substantially central portion viewed from the top surface of the top 1 holds one end portion (a pen tip portion to be described later) of the pen device 2 to hold a concave portion (see FIG. 5 to be described later) for placing the pen device 2. A mounting part 23) is provided.

The pen-type device 2 has a pen shape with a length that can be gripped by the user U, and is one end thereof (the lower end of FIGS. 2 and 3A). ”Is inserted into the recess of the top 1 (a placement portion 23 in FIG. 5 to be described later) to be placed on the top 1. In other words, the pen-type device 2 has a configuration that can be freely attached to and detached from the top 1 at the pen tip portion.

In the pen-type device 2, an operation button 11 is provided on the upper surface (the surface shown in FIG. 3E) opposite to the pen tip portion.
With such an arrangement of the operation buttons 11, the user U can press the operation buttons 11 without holding the pen-type device 2 when the pen-type device 2 is placed on the top 1. It is.
Here, the function assigned to the operation button 11 is not particularly limited, and various functions such as a function for generating various events in the board game can be assigned.
For example, it is assumed that a function of rolling a dice (a virtual dice on software executed on the mobile terminal 4) is assigned to the operation button 11. In this case, when the pen device 2 is placed on the top 1, the user U can swing the dice by simply pressing the operation button 11 without holding the pen device 2. Further, in a battle game or the like, a gun can be shot by holding it in the hand like a joystick and pressing the operation button 11. In addition, by incorporating a tilt sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like in the pen-type device 2, the tilt or movement of the pen can be detected and used as a game function. The pen-type device 2 and the top can calculate the rotation angle with respect to the axis of the pen-type device 2 and the top placed with respect to the orientation of the board. Can be used as a game function in settings. The direction of the dot pattern formed on the board 3 or the ID of the frame 1 can be defined, and the direction relative to the direction of the imaging by the pen-type device 2 (angle) with respect to that direction is relative to the board 3. The rotation angle of the frame 1 and the rotation angle of the pen-type device 2 can be calculated.
Although the operation button 11 has a push button shape, it may be an object having various shapes such as a character. Furthermore, the character can be removed, and a structure (for example, an electrical contact is provided between the character and the main body, and the character is specified by a combination of which contact is connected. If there are two sets, four types of characters can be specified.), And the ID of the character is transmitted together with the ID of the frame 1 and the dot pattern, and is used as an element of the progress of the game. If the pen-type device 2 includes a voice output device, the voice of the character may be uttered as the game progresses.

In the pen-type device 2, a power button 12 and a second operation button 13 are provided on a predetermined one side surface shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A in order from above.
In the pen-type device 2, a storage unit 14 that stores a dry battery as a power source is provided on the side surface (the surface shown in FIG. 3C) that faces the side surface on which the power button 12 is provided. .
When the power button 12 is pressed, the power from the power source (dry cell) is supplied to the pen-type device 2 and when the pressing is released, the power supply is stopped.
The second operation button 13 can be used as a button having various functions such as an application download and a game progress operation. Of course, the second operation button 13 is provided as necessary and may be removed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of the top 1 on which the pen-type device 2 is placed.
Specifically, FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line A in FIG. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4A, an imaging unit 15 and an irradiation unit 16 are provided inside the pen-type device 2.
The imaging unit 15 includes a CCD type or CMOS type imaging sensor, and images a predetermined imaging region below the pen type device 2 through the pen tip part of the pen type device 2.
That is, when the pen-type device 2 is placed on the frame 1, the first area where the ID code for identifying the frame 1 is formed (in this example, a circle dot ring 21 in FIG. 5 described later) and A second area (in this example, a hole 22 in FIG. 5 described later) in which the board 3 can be imaged is included in the imaging area. Therefore, the imaging unit 15 can image the dot pattern formed on the board 3 via the second area at the same time as imaging the ID code (circle dot described later) formed in the first area. When the board 3 is placed on a region where the dot pattern is not formed on the board 3 or a position other than the board 3, only the ID code may be imaged and the code may be combined. In a state where the pen-type device 2 is not placed on the top 1, the pen-type device 2 is brought close to or in contact with the board 3, and the dot pattern formed on the board 3 is imaged, and the dot code is combined. You can also. At that time, when the pen-type device 2 is tilted to the board and picks up the dot pattern, it can be seen in which direction the pen-type device 2 is tilted with respect to the board 3, and Tilt can be calculated and can be used as a joystick-like game device. That is, it is possible to use both the calculation of the rotation angle and the inclination angle described above as a game function. It should be noted that in the case where the dot pattern is not formed or placed on a position other than the board 3, only the inclination angle can be calculated.
The irradiation unit 16 irradiates the imaging area of the imaging unit 15.

Furthermore, a pen tip switch 17 is provided inside the pen-type device 2 as shown in FIG.
The pen tip switch 17 is a switch that is turned on when the pen-type device 2 is placed on the top 1 and turned off when the placement is released. When this switch is turned on, the ID code (circle dot to be described later) formed in the first area or the dot pattern formed on the board 3 is imaged through the second area and the code is combined. can do. As described above, in the OFF state, it is possible to realize power saving by operating the sensor or CPU only when the CPU or sensor is placed in the sleep state and placed on the top. The mechanism and structure for switching between the ON state and the OFF state are not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, a structure that is turned on by weight is employed. That is, when the pen-type device 2 is placed on the top 1, the pen tip switch 17 is pushed into the contact portion of the top 1, thereby generating a reaction force (weight) above a certain level from the contact portion. , Is turned on. In addition, by removing the pen tip switch 17 and pressing the operation button 11, the ID code (circle dot described later) formed in the first area or the dot pattern formed on the board 3 via the second area is displayed. Either of them may be imaged and the code may be combined. Thus, only when the operation button 11 is pressed, the sensor and CPU can be operated to realize power saving.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, on the upper surface (the surface shown in FIG. 3E) opposite to the pen tip portion, an LED 18 is also provided around the operation button 11.
Although not shown, various operation units other than the operation buttons 11 can be appropriately provided on the upper surface (the surface shown in FIG. 3E) opposite to the pen tip.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the cross-sectional structure of the frame 1.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the top 1 is provided with a placement portion 23 as a first recess. A further second concave portion is provided in the central portion of the mounting portion 23, and a hole portion 22 is formed in the central portion of the second concave portion. Of the second recess, the area 21 other than the hole 22 has a ring donut shape when viewed from above, and is a medium in which the ID code of the frame 1 is formed (hereinafter referred to as a circle dot ring). Or an ID code may be formed directly in the region 21. On the upper surface of this circle dot ring 21 (the surface included in the imaging area of the imaging unit 15 in FIG. 4), a dot pattern (circle dot in FIG. 7 described later) in which the ID code of the frame 1 is defined is formed. Yes.
In FIG.5 (b), the further 2nd recessed part is provided in the bottom outer side of the center part of the mounting part 23, and the hole 22 is opened in the center part of the said 2nd recessed part. Similarly to FIG. 5A, the region 21 other than the hole 22 in the second recess has a ring donut shape when viewed from above, and the region where the ID code of the top 1 is formed (hereinafter, referred to as “the top”). It is used as a circle dot ring). In this mechanism, a circle dot ring is formed at a distance close to the dot pattern formed on the board 3, and any code can be easily focused when the image is taken, and the codes are reliably combined. However, when the medium on which the ID code of the frame 1 is formed is attached to the outside of the bottom, there is a drawback that it is easily peeled off.
That is, in the present embodiment, a circle dot ring 21 is provided as a first area in which an ID code for specifying the frame 1 is formed.
In addition, a hole 22 is provided as a second area where the board 3 as another medium on which a dot pattern in which at least one of the coordinate value and the code value is defined is formed can be imaged.
In other words, the hole portion 22 is a region provided in the placement portion 23 that transmits light necessary for imaging the board 10. The circle dot ring 21 is an area provided so as to surround the hole 22 in the placement portion 23. Of course, the hole 22 may be a hole or a transparent medium.
With such a configuration of the top 1, the placement unit 23 causes the pen-type device 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 to be replaced with the first region (circle dot ring 21 in this example) and the second region (hole 22 in this example). ) Can be placed so that the imaging unit 15 (FIG. 4) can simultaneously capture images.

The pen-type device 2 placed on the top 1 includes the above-described hardware, that is, the operation button 11, the power button 12, the development operation button 13, the imaging unit 15, the irradiation unit 16, the pen tip switch 17, In addition to the LEDs 18, various hardware such as an MPU, a RAM, an SPI flash, and a communication module are provided (not shown).
In the pen-type device 2, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 6 function by the cooperation of these various hardware and various software.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the pen-type device 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the pen-type device 2, the main control is performed in addition to the operation button 11, the power button 12, the development operation button 13, the imaging unit 15, the irradiation unit 16, the pen tip switch 17, and the LED 18. Unit 51, ID code recognition unit 52, dot code recognition unit 53, button recognition unit 54, activation control unit 55, communication unit 56, LED control unit 57, sound reproduction unit 58, irradiation control unit 59 function.

The main control unit 51 controls the overall operation of the pen-type device 2.

The ID code recognition unit 52 recognizes the ID code of the frame 1 based on the circle dot image of the circle dot ring 21 (first region) among the images captured by the imaging unit 15.
A method for recognizing the ID code of frame 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The dot code recognition unit 53 is formed in the area 31 of the board 3 below the hole 22 (FIG. 5) of the frame 1 (a predetermined square if the board game is cool) in the image captured by the imaging unit 15. Based on the image of the dot pattern, the coordinate value and code value defined for the dot pattern are recognized.
Further details of the dot pattern will be described later with reference to FIGS.

In other words, with the imaging unit 15, the ID code recognition unit 52, and the dot code recognition unit 53, with the pen-type device 2 placed on the frame 1, the ID code of the frame 1 (circle dot in this example) A reading unit 61 that images and reads both the dot code (coordinate values and code values defined in the dot pattern) on the board 3 is formed.

The button recognition unit 54 recognizes the state (ON state / OFF state) of the operation button 11 and the development operation button 13.

The activation control unit 55 recognizes the state of the power button 12 and the pen tip switch 17 (ON state / OFF state) and the communication state of the communication unit 56, and based on the recognition result, the activation state of the pen-type device 2 To control.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an activation state controlled by the activation control unit 55.
In FIG. 7, each row shows various states that shift when the “button” in the leftmost column is operated. Here, the top item (the gray item in the figure) in the second and subsequent columns from the left shows the state (premise) before the transition.

Specifically, the second column from the left shows various states that are shifted when various buttons are operated when the state before the shift is “power OFF”. Specifically, for example, according to the second item from the left in the top row, when the power button 12 is pressed for a long time in the power-off state, the power-on state is entered.

The third column from the left shows various states that are shifted when various buttons are operated when the state before the transition is “the communication unit 56 is not connected”. Note that “invalid” means that the button operation is not accepted and is invalidated. Specifically, for example, according to the third item from the left in the second row from the top, when the communication unit 56 is not connected, even if the power button 12 is pressed for a short time, the operation is not accepted and becomes invalid. .

The fourth to sixth columns from the left show various states that are shifted when various buttons are operated when the state before the transition is “the communication unit 56 is connected”. More specifically, the fourth column shows various states that are shifted when various buttons are operated when the state before the transition is “the communication unit 56 is in a connected state and is in standby”. ing. The fifth column shows various states that are shifted when various buttons are operated when the state before the transition is “the communication unit 56 is in a connected state and is in sleep”. The sixth column shows various states that are shifted when various buttons are operated when the state before the transition is “the communication unit 56 is in a connected state and being transmitted”.
Specifically, for example, according to the fourth to sixth items from the left in the fifth row from the top, when the operation button 11 is pressed while the communication unit 56 is in a connected state, information indicating that (button Pressing operation information) is generated by the main control unit 51 and transmitted from the communication unit 56 to the portable terminal 4 (FIG. 1).

What should be noted here is that the activation state of the reading unit 61 (whether or not the reading operation is possible) is controlled according to the ON / OFF state of the pen tip switch 17 as shown in the third and fourth rows from the top. Is done.
That is, the case where the pen tip switch 17 is in the ON state is a case where the reading operation by the reading unit 61 is necessary because the pen-type device 2 is placed on the top 1 as described above. On the other hand, when the pen tip switch 17 is in the OFF state, since the pen-type device 2 is separated from the top 1, the reading operation by the reading unit 61 is not necessary in principle.
Therefore, the activation control unit 55 activates the reading unit 61 to perform the reading operation when the pen tip switch 17 is in the ON state, and performs the control to stop the reading unit 61 when the pen tip switch 17 is in the OFF state. To do.
That is, the reading unit 61 performs a reading operation only when the pen tip switch 17 is in the ON state. Then, the information read by the reading unit 61 (information such as the ID code of the frame 1 and the coordinate values and code values defined by the dot pattern of the board 3) is transmitted to the portable terminal 4 (FIG. 1) by the communication unit 56. Is done.
On the other hand, when the pen tip switch 17 is in the OFF state, the reading operation of the reading unit 61 is stopped. In this case, since the communication by the communication unit 56 is also unnecessary in principle, the communication unit 56 enters a sleep state (after transmission is completed if transmission is in progress).

Thus, in this embodiment, the activation state is appropriately controlled for the functional blocks shown in FIG. 6 (particularly, the reading unit 61 and the communication unit 56). That is, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 6 (in particular, the reading unit 61 and the communication unit 56) are activated only when necessary. Thereby, the energy-saving effect of the pen-type device 2 whole becomes remarkable.

In order to achieve a further energy saving effect, the main control unit 51 can execute control for changing the time interval of the reading timing in the reading unit 61.
Specifically, for example, when the dot code recognized by the dot code recognition unit 53 (information defined in the dot pattern formed on the board 3) is a normal code value, it may be the same code value twice continuously after 100 ms. After that, reading control is executed every 400 ms.
Thereafter, when different code values are read, if the same code value is read twice continuously after 100 ms, then reading control is executed every 400 ms.
Further, for example, when the dot code is a coordinate value (XY coordinate value), control for reading every 20 ms is executed. However, when the stationary state of the frame 1 is confirmed, a reading control is executed every 100 ms. After that, when the moving state of the frame 1 is confirmed, the reading control is executed every 20 ms.

When the pen-type device 2 is detached from the top 1 and placed on a standby deck (not shown) (a deck having the same structure as the top 1), the pen tip switch 17 is turned on. In this case, the reading unit 61 immediately reads the code value defined in the dot pattern formed on the bottom of the standby deck, and after 100 ms, when the same code value is read twice, the activation control unit 55 Control for shifting to the sleep mode may be executed.

Also, depending on the game, by placing a standby deck on the board 3, the reading unit 61 can read the coordinate values and code values defined in the dot pattern of the board 3. In this case, the read contents can be reflected in the game.

Returning to FIG. 6, the communication unit 56 is connected to the portable terminal 4 (FIG. 1) by a predetermined communication method (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) 3.0 or 4.0 (SPP) method in this embodiment), and transmits and receives various information. To do.
For example, the content read by the reading unit 61 (the ID code of the frame 1, the coordinate value or code value defined by the dot pattern formed on the board 3 on which the frame 1 is arranged), and the pressing state of the operation button 11 Information including (button press information) and the like is generated by the main control unit 51 as transmission information.
Therefore, the communication unit 56 wirelessly transmits the transmission information to the mobile terminal 4.
The transmission information only needs to include the contents read by the reading unit 61 and the pressing state of the operation button 11, and the structure, format, and the like are not particularly limited.

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the data structure of the transmission information includes, from the top, a 1-byte “header”, a 2-byte “status code”, an 8-byte “code value”, and 1 byte. A “circle dot value” structure is used.
The “header” and “status code” can include various types of information as long as they are within the defined number of bytes. For example, the status code can include the activation state shown in FIG.
The “code value” includes a coordinate value and a code value defined by a dot pattern formed on the board 3 on which the frame 1 is arranged. Specifically, this will be described later with reference to FIGS.
The “circle dot value” includes the ID code of frame 1. That is, in this example, the code value defined for the circle dot (dot pattern) on the circle dot ring 21 in FIG. 5 is included in the “circle dot value”.

Returning to FIG. 6, the LED control unit 57 controls the presence / absence of the LED 18 and the blinking pattern.
The user U (FIG. 1) can recognize various states of the pen-type device 2 based on whether the LED 18 is lit or blinking.
For example, in the present embodiment, three LEDs of orange, green, and red are employed as the LEDs 18, and various states of the pen-type device 2 are associated with the following lighting presence / absence and various blinking patterns. ing.
That is, “Pairing” is associated with the blinking (orange) (slow) pattern.
“Stand-by (BT connection completed)” is associated with the lighting pattern.
“Sending” is associated with the blinking pattern.
“Dot pattern analysis error of board 3” is associated with the pattern of blinking (green, orange) and alternately blinking (fast).
“Pattern 1 ID code (circle dot) analysis error” is associated with a pattern of blinking (green, orange) and alternately blinking (fast).

The voice playback unit 58 plays back the voice corresponding to the information read by the reading unit 61 and the pressing information of the operation button 11. What kind of sound is reproduced at what timing is determined based on the control of the main control unit 51.

The irradiation control unit 59 controls the irradiation of the irradiation unit 16 so that the irradiation unit 16 emits when the reading operation by the reading unit 61 (imaging operation by the imaging unit 15) is executed. The contents of the control can include variable control of the irradiation amount (light quantity) of the irradiation unit 16 in addition to the control of the irradiation timing of the irradiation unit 16.

<Frame ID code (circle dot)>
Next, the frame ID code will be described.
The frame ID code is not particularly limited as long as it can be distinguished from the code value defined in the dot pattern formed on the board 3, and a code of an arbitrary system can be adopted.
However, in this embodiment, a code value defined for a circle dot (a dot pattern formed on the circle dot ring 21 of the frame 1 in FIG. 5) is adopted as the frame ID.
FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the circle dot ring 21 in which circle dots are formed.
In the example of FIG. 9A, the circle dot ring 21 is formed with circle dots composed of 18 dots d1 to d18.

The circle dot ring 21 is divided into three regions as indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 9A, and the dots at both ends of each region are used as reference dots. That is, the dots d1, d6, d7, d12, d13, and d18 are reference dots. In this case, a pair of two adjacent reference dots is arranged at the boundary between the two regions (the place where the alternate long and short dash line passes). That is, a set of dots d18 and d1, a set of dots d6 and d7, and a set of dots d12 and d13 are used as a set of reference dots.

In one region, each of the six dots including the two reference dots at both ends is arranged with a predetermined inter-dot distance.
However, the distance between dots is not the same, and any one of the five patterns is assigned. Here, numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, and “5” are assigned to the five patterns in order from the shortest inter-dot distance.
In this case, the ID code of frame 1 is defined by the clockwise permutation combination of the inter-dot distances.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, there are 120 combinations of inter-dot distances for the circle dots in the 1/3 region in the example of FIG. 9A. That is, there are 120 ID codes.
In FIG. 10, only 24 combinations in which the distance between the leading dots is “1” are illustrated, but the ID code is similarly set for each of the distances between the leading dots “2” to “5”. 24 × 5 = 120 codes are defined.

Thus, the ID code of the frame 1 having the circle dot ring 21 is defined by the combination of the distances between the dots in the dot group in one area of the circle dot ring 21. For example, in the example of FIG. One ID code is defined by a combination of the distances between dots by d6 to d6. Here, FIG. 9A shows an example in which a dot group is formed by a combination corresponding to the ID code “1” shown at the top of FIG. That is, the ID code of the frame 1 having the circle dot ring 21 in the example of FIG. 9A is “1”.
Here, the dot groups in the other two regions, that is, the combinations of the inter-dot distances by the dots d7 to d12 and the combinations of the inter-dot distances by the dots d13 to d18 are also the same combination. That is, the same ID code (“1” in the example of FIG. 9A) is defined for each of the three areas in the circle dot ring 21.
Accordingly, it is sufficient that the ID code can be read from at least one of the three areas. If the ID code can be read from two or more areas, it can be used for error checking.

In addition, a separate ID code can be defined for each area of the circle dot ring 21 as necessary. As a result, the direction of the top 1 (in which direction the pen-type device 2 is placed) can be specified.
The number of areas of the circle dot ring 21 is not limited to three in the example of FIG. 9A, and may be arbitrary. For example, by increasing the number of areas, the direction of frame 1 can be specified more finely.
In the example of FIG. 9B, the circle dot ring 21 is formed with four blocks of code in which the same code is defined. Each block has a predetermined interval, and three reference dots and two information dots are formed in each block. As described above, if the codes defined in the circle dot ring 21 are arranged at four locations, if the codes of the remaining blocks can be combined even if the dots of the blocks at one to three locations are missing, the predetermined code can be used. ID code can be read. The number of blocks may be set arbitrarily. The reference dots are arranged at equal intervals, and information is defined by arranging at least one information dot between adjacent reference dots. In FIG. 9B, there are three areas where information dots are arranged, but one or two areas or four or more areas may be set. Furthermore, the number of reference dots is not limited to three, and an arbitrary number can be arranged. When one information dot is arranged between adjacent reference dots, if the number of information dot arrangement positions is n and the number of reference dots is m, the amount of information can define a code of n to the power of m-1. In addition, in order to recognize the area | region of each block, it is desirable to arrange | position each block by predetermined distance apart. In addition, in order to increase the amount of information, the information of each block may be different, and they can be integrated to increase the number of ID codes.

<Dot pattern of board 3>
Next, the dot pattern on the board 3 will be described.
FIG. 12 shows a specific example of the board 3.
In the example of FIG. 12, the board 3 is a board for extraordinary use. For this reason, in the board 3, the region 31 where the dot pattern is formed is a plurality of squares or the like on which the frame 1 can be arranged.
That is, in the dot pattern formed in each of the areas 31 indicating each square, a coordinate value indicating the position of each square and a code value capable of specifying the event contents of each square are defined.

<Description of dot pattern>
Next, an example of a dot pattern will be described below with reference to FIGS.

There are the following examples of dot pattern modes.

In addition, the mode of the dot pattern is not limited to the following (1) to (4).

(1) First example (“GRID0”, FIGS. 15 to 19)
(2) Second example ("GRID1", FIG. 17 (a), FIG. 18 (a), FIG. 20)
(3) Third example (“GRID5”, FIGS. 21 to 25)
The information dots in the first to third examples will be described using the following examples.

Note that examples of information dots are not limited to the following (5) and (6).

(4) How to catch information dots (Fig. 13)
(5) Information dot code assignment (FIG. 14)
(6) Reading the dot pattern (FIGS. 26 and 27)

<How to catch the information dots in FIG. 11>
Information dots are captured as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (e).

It should be noted that the method of capturing information dots is not limited to the examples of FIGS. 13 (a) to (e).

That is, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), information dots are arranged diagonally above, below, left, and right of a virtual point, and when information dots are not arranged, information dots are arranged at virtual points or not arranged. It is possible to increase the amount of information.
In FIG. 13B, information dots are arranged in a total of four virtual regions of 2 rows × 2 columns. However, if information dots are arranged near the boundary, erroneous recognition may occur. FIG. 13C shows an embodiment in which adjacent virtual regions are arranged at a constant interval.
It is possible to increase the amount of information including a case where a plurality of information dots are arranged in the four virtual areas or no information dot is arranged.

FIG. 13D shows information dots arranged in a total of nine virtual areas of 3 rows × 3 columns. It is possible to increase the amount of information including a case where a plurality of information dots are arranged in nine virtual regions or no information dot is arranged.

FIG. 13 (e) shows a case where information dots are arranged in a total of eight virtual areas by connecting all the midpoints and diagonal lines of a square with straight lines or virtual lines. It is possible to increase the amount of information including a case where a plurality of information dots are arranged in the eight virtual areas or no information dot is arranged.

The virtual areas in FIGS. 13B to 13E are rectangles or triangles. However, as shown in FIG. 13C, the virtual areas do not need to touch each other, and any shape such as a circle or other polygons can be used. It does not matter. Furthermore, the amount of information can be increased by increasing the number of virtual areas. The information dot arrangement in the virtual region is the same as the information dot arrangement method shown in FIG. 13A, which is arranged with a predetermined distance from the virtual point in a predetermined direction. This is because when creating print data, in any virtual area, it is necessary to determine the placement position with coordinate data indicating one of the positions. There is no difference from calculating. In addition, when reading dots, regardless of the arrangement method, a dot pattern such as a circle or a rectangle is recognized around a plurality of arrangement positions where information dots may be arranged in an image obtained by imaging a dot pattern. It can be said that the same information dot reading method can be obtained by setting a determination region and determining whether or not there is a dot in the dot recognition determination region to recognize the dot.

<Assignment of information dot code in FIG. 14>
Information dot code assignment is as shown in FIGS. 14 (a) to 14 (c).

That is, as shown in FIG. 14A, all may be assigned to “code values” such as a company code, for example, and as shown in FIG. 14B, one code format is “X coordinate value”. It may be assigned to two data areas of “Y coordinate value”, or as shown in FIG. 3C, it is assigned to three data areas of “code value”, “X coordinate value”, and “Y coordinate value”. It may be assigned. When assigning coordinate values to a rectangular area, the data areas of “X coordinate value” and “Y coordinate value” may be different in order to reduce the amount of data. Further, although not shown, a “Z coordinate value” may be further assigned to define the height in the position coordinates. When “X coordinate value” and “Y coordinate value” are assigned, since the coordinate value is incremented by a predetermined amount in the + direction of the X and Y coordinates because of the position information, all the dot patterns are not the same. . Further, as is clear from FIGS. 14A to 14C, as the number of types of codes to be assigned is increased, the dot recognition determination area becomes smaller and the information dot placement position is difficult to recognize correctly.

<First Example (“GRID0”), FIGS. 15 to 19>
The first example of the dot pattern is called by the present applicant as a temporary name “GRID0”.

The feature of “GRID0” is that at least one of the range and direction of the dot pattern can be recognized by using the key dots.

“GRID0” has the following configuration as shown in FIGS.

(1) Information dot The information dot is for storing information.

It should be noted that the information dot is captured as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13E, and the information dot code assignment is as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C.

Note that when information dots are not arranged, it is possible to increase the amount of information including information dots arranged at virtual points or not arranged.

(2) Reference dots The reference dots are arranged at a plurality of preset positions.

The reference dot is for specifying the position of a virtual point or a virtual area described later.

(3) Key dots The key dots are arranged by shifting the reference dots, or as shown in FIG. 16, in addition to the positions shifted from the arrangement positions of the reference dots. In other words, when the reference dots are shifted and arranged, the reference dots are shifted, so that there are no reference dots at the original reference dot arrangement position. Therefore, the key dot also serves as the original reference dot, and it is desirable that the position of the original reference dot can be estimated from the arrangement of other reference dots. When arranged in addition to the position deviated from the arrangement position of the reference dot, the reference dot and the key dot are arranged in the vicinity.

The key dot specifies a reference dot and an information dot with respect to a virtual point, or a direction serving as a reference for the reference dot and the information dot arranged in the virtual area. By determining the reference direction, information can be given and read in the direction of the information dot with respect to the virtual point. Furthermore, it is also possible to specify a dot pattern range that defines one data with a plurality of information dots. As a result, even if the dot patterns are arranged vertically and horizontally, the dot pattern range can be read and the data can be decoded.

(4) Virtual point or virtual area The virtual point or virtual area is specified by the arrangement of the reference dots. In the case where information is defined by at least one of the distance from the virtual point and the direction in FIG. 17, the information may be defined with reference to the direction of the dot pattern by the key dots described above. The distance may be based on a distance between predetermined reference dots. When defining information by arranging a virtual area, the center or representative point of a plurality of virtual areas for giving one piece of information is used as the virtual point, and the position of the virtual point is determined by the arrangement of the reference points as described above. And the virtual region may be defined by the distance and direction from the virtual point. Further, the arrangement positions of all the virtual areas may be directly specified from the arrangement of the reference dots. Adjacent virtual regions may be connected, but in this case, if information dots are arranged near the boundary, there is a possibility of erroneous recognition being sent, so it is desirable to arrange the virtual regions at a certain interval.

FIG. 15 shows a general example of the dot pattern of “GRID0”. FIG. 15A shows an example in which the reference dots are arranged in a substantially positive character shape, and FIG. 15B shows an increase in the number of information dots arranged. An example (c) shows an example in which the reference dots are arranged in a hexagon.

The general-purpose example of the dot pattern is not limited to the substantially positive character shape or the substantially hexagonal shape illustrated in FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (c).
FIG. 16 shows a modification of FIG. 15 in which key dots are arranged in addition to the positions shifted from the arrangement positions of the reference dots, and as a result, the reference dots and the key dots are arranged in the vicinity. become.

FIG. 17 shows a modification of the dot pattern of “GRID0”, in which (a) shows an example in which the reference dots are arranged in a substantially square shape, and (b) shows an example in which the reference dots are arranged in a substantially L shape, (C) shows an example in which the reference dots are arranged in a substantially cross shape or a substantially plus shape.

Note that the modification of the dot pattern is not limited to the substantially square shape, the substantially L shape, the substantially cross shape, or the substantially plus shape illustrated in FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (c).

FIGS. 18 to 19 show connection examples or connection examples of the dot pattern of “GRID0”. FIG. 18A shows a dot pattern in which reference dots are arranged in a substantially square shape, and a part of the reference dots is shown. It is the example of a connection arranged adjacently so that it may be common. As a condition for connection, the upper and lower and / or right and left dot positions of one dot pattern must be the same position. In addition, you may connect only up and down or right and left. FIG. 4B shows a first connection example in which a plurality of dot patterns in which reference dots are arranged in a substantially L shape are arranged independently of each other. FIG. 19A shows a second connection example in which a plurality of dot patterns in which reference dots are arranged in a plus shape are arranged independently of each other. The articulation is a method of arranging dot patterns vertically and horizontally with a predetermined interval. FIG. 19B is a connection example in which a plurality of dot patterns in which reference dots are arranged in a hexagonal shape are arranged adjacent to each other so that a part of the reference dots are common.

Further, examples of connecting or connecting dot patterns are not limited to the arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B and FIG.

<Second Example (“GRID1”)>
The second example of the dot pattern is called by the present applicant under the provisional name “GRID1”.

As shown in FIG. 17A, “GRID1” is a limited arrangement of the reference dots of “GRID0”. A point in which the reference dots are arranged in a rectangular shape, for example, a square or a rectangle, and a virtual point are arranged around the periphery. It is characterized by being the center of four reference points. The center is calculated from the coordinate value obtained by dividing the coordinate values of the four reference points in the vicinity by 4 as shown in FIG. As a result, even if the arrangement of the dot pattern is deformed in the photographed image due to the tilt of the optical reading device to read the dot pattern, the distortion of the lens, the deformation of the printing medium on which the dot pattern is formed, etc. Since the arrangement of the information dots moves similarly to the dots, the arrangement of the information dots is relatively accurately calculated by the arrangement of the four adjacent reference dots moved, and the recognition rate is hardly lowered. Of course, as shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, when the information dot is arranged away from the reference dot, the information dot arrangement position cannot be accurately grasped and may be misidentified.

In the drawing, there are a modification example in which the reference dots in FIG. 17A are arranged in a square shape, and a connection example of dot patterns in which dot patterns are repeatedly arranged in the upper, lower, left, and right directions in FIG. is there.

Although the reference dots are arranged in a square as shown in FIG. 17A, the reference dots are not limited to this and may be arranged in a rectangle. Further, although the reference dots are connected as shown in FIG. 18A, the present invention is not limited to this, and the adjacent dot patterns may be arranged independently of each other and connected at a predetermined interval.

<Third example ("GRID5")>
The third example of the dot pattern is referred to by the present applicant under the provisional name “GRID5”.

“GRID5” allows the range and direction of the dot pattern to be recognized by “how to place the reference dots” instead of the key dots of “GRID0”. In order to recognize the direction of the dot pattern by “how to place the reference dots”, no matter how much the reference dot placement is rotated around any point (except 360 °) It must be non-axisymmetric which is not the same. Furthermore, the dot pattern range and orientation must be recognizable even when the dot patterns are repeatedly arranged side by side in the vertical and / or horizontal direction.

It should be noted that even if a key dot is included as “GRID0”, the key dot is recognized as a reference dot, and “GRID5” dot pattern having no key dot is determined as the range and direction of “GRID5” by “how to place the reference dot”. Can be recognized.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22 to FIG. 24, as a special example of “GRID5”, only the dot pattern range is specified by “how to place the reference dots”, and the information dot placement position, that is, “virtual point location” The direction of the dot pattern can be specified by the “positioning method”, the direction of the predetermined information dot, or the arrangement rule. In this case, when the arrangement of the reference dots is rotated around any point (except 360 °), the reference dots may be symmetrical with respect to the same arrangement as before the rotation. Furthermore, it is only necessary to recognize only the range of the dot pattern even when the dot patterns are repeatedly arranged in the vertical and / or horizontal direction and connected or connected. The present applicant calls this the tentative name “Direction Dot”.

FIG. 21 shows a general-purpose example of the dot pattern of “GRID5”. FIG. 21A shows an example in which the reference dots are arranged in an approximately asymmetrical shape in the vertical direction, and FIG. 21B shows the reference dots in the vertical direction. (C) shows an example in which the reference dots are arranged in a substantially isosceles triangle that is asymmetric in the vertical direction.

Note that the general-purpose example of the dot pattern is not limited to the substantially house shape, the substantially cruciform shape, or the substantially triangular shape illustrated in FIGS.

FIG. 22 shows a general example of “direction dot” that determines the direction of the dot pattern. In FIG. 22, (a) is arranged in a square so as to surround the information dot with the reference dot, and the information dot at the center is “direction”. As the “dot”, the direction of the dot pattern is determined by the direction in which the “direction dot” is shifted. The other information dots are in the + x direction. In (b), the reference dots are arranged approximately positively, and the “direction dot” at the center is shifted in one direction, and the direction of the dot pattern is determined by the direction in which the “direction dot” is shifted. The arrangement of “direction dots” for determining the direction of the dot pattern in FIGS. 5A and 5B may be shifted in any direction as long as it is determined in advance. Also, other information dots may be defined in any way by the distance and direction from the virtual point.

FIG. 23 shows a modification example of “direction dot”. FIG. 23A shows a case in which information dots are arranged in a square so as to surround the information dots with reference dots, and information dots in the + direction are arranged in three places. Determine the direction of the dot pattern. The other information dots are in the x direction. That is, the direction of the dot pattern is determined according to the arrangement method of “direction dots” in which the arrangement rules of information dots are different from those of other information dots.

FIG. 23B shows an example in which the direction of the dot pattern is determined by not arranging information dots, that is, “virtual point arrangement method”. That is, since the reference dots are arranged in a square, the “direction” of the dot pattern cannot be specified by the arrangement of the reference dots. For this reason, by not arranging the “reference dot” in one place of the “virtual points” arranged in the area of the reference dots arranged in the square, that is, by “how to arrange the virtual points”, Decide "direction". It should be noted that the “virtual point” where no “reference dot” is arranged may be either the upper three places or the lower three places.

FIG. 24 shows a modified example of “direction dot”. In FIG. 24A, information dots in the + direction are arranged at positions excluding the upper and lower centers, with reference dots arranged vertically and information dots arranged therebetween. The direction of the dot pattern is determined by the dot arrangement. The other information dots are in the x direction. That is, the direction of the dot pattern is determined according to the arrangement method of “direction dots” in which the arrangement rules of information dots are different from those of other information dots. In (b), the direction of the dot pattern is determined by arranging reference dots in a regular triangle and arranging information dots in a rectangle inside and outside. (C) shows a connection example of the dot pattern of (b). This is a connection example in which a plurality of dot patterns in which reference dots are arranged in an equilateral triangle are arranged adjacent to each other so that some of the reference dots are common. As a condition for connection, the upper and lower and / or right and left dot positions of one dot pattern must be the same position. In addition, you may connect only up and down or right and left. In this embodiment, the information dots on the base of the equilateral triangle are shared. Thus, when connecting dot patterns, it is possible to share not only the reference dots but also the information dots. However, in the case where the value changes for each dot pattern like the coordinate value, the information dot cannot be shared.

FIG. 25 shows a modification of the dot pattern of “GRID5”. FIG. 25A shows an example in which the reference dots are arranged in an asymmetrical substantially rectangular shape, and FIG. 25B shows a case in which key dots are used together. An example in which the dots are arranged in an asymmetrical substantially L-shape in the vertical direction, and (c) shows an example in which the key dots are used together and the reference dots are arranged in an asymmetrical substantially cross shape in the vertical direction.

Note that the general-purpose example of the dot pattern is not limited to the vertically asymmetrical substantially rectangular shape, substantially L-shaped shape, or substantially cruciform shape illustrated in FIGS. 25 (a) to 25 (c).

<Dot pattern reading>
When the above dot patterns of “GRID0”, “GRID1”, and “GRID5” are defined with the same code value within a predetermined area and are repeatedly arranged side by side vertically, as shown in FIG. 26, the range of the dot pattern If an arbitrary area is read in the same size range, the information dots constituting the original dot pattern are (1) to (16) (indicated as “circle 1 to circle 16” in the figure). Alternatively, all (1) to (9) (indicated as “circle 1 to circle 9” in the figure) are satisfied, and all defined code values can be read. As described above, since the arrangement of information dots can be determined by the direction and range of the dot pattern, the arrangement rule of information dots configured as code values can also be specified. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 27, in the range of the dot pattern read in an arbitrary region, when reading information dots on either the left or right side exceeding the range, the information dots positioned on the opposite end to the information dots are , Defined numerical values are the same, and are arranged at positions shifted by the same distance in the same direction with respect to the virtual point. A line segment connecting these two information dots becomes a horizontal line, and the horizontal line passing through the virtual point can be accurately recognized by translating the horizontal line. The parallel movement amount is the distance until the reference dot is positioned on the horizontal line if the corresponding reference dot exists. Further, if a vertical line is recognized in the same way in the vertical direction, the virtual point can be accurately obtained by obtaining the position of the intersection of the horizontal line and the vertical line. According to this method, the dot pattern is imaged by tilting the optical reading device, and the virtual point can be accurately obtained even if the dot arrangement is greatly deformed, and the numerical value indicated by the information dot can be accurately recognized.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within a scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

For example, the code value defined for the circle dot (see FIGS. 9 to 13) is adopted as the ID code for specifying the ID of frame 1 in the above-described embodiment. Of these, anything that can be formed in an area that can be imaged by the imaging unit 15 is sufficient.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the dot pattern is formed in the area 31 of the board 10, but is not particularly limited thereto, and may be any other medium that can be read by the frame 1.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the dot pattern formed on such another medium is imaged through the hole 22 of the frame 1, but the area of the frame 1 where the dot pattern in the frame 1 is imaged is However, it is not particularly limited to this. For example, it is not particularly necessary to be a hole, and it is sufficient that a region capable of transmitting light from the irradiation unit 16 is formed in the top 1.

Further, for example, the object placed on the top 1 is the pen-type device 2 in the above-described embodiment. However, the object is not particularly limited to this, and the state of the top 1 placed on the top 1 is not limited to this. Any reading device having at least a reading function for imaging and reading both the ID code and the dot pattern of another medium is sufficient.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software.
In other words, the functional configuration of FIG. 3 is merely an example, and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the user terminal 1 has a function capable of executing the above-described series of processing as a whole, and what functional block is used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the example of FIG.
In addition, one functional block may be constituted by hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof.

When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed on a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium.
The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. The computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose personal computer.

A recording medium including such a program is provided not only to a removable medium distributed separately from the apparatus main body in order to provide the program to the user, but also to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance. It consists of a recording medium. The removable medium is constituted by, for example, a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk), a Blu-ray Disc (Blu-ray Disc) (registered trademark), an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like. The optical disk is composed of, for example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like. The magneto-optical disk is constituted by an MD (Mini-Disk) or the like. In addition, the recording medium provided to the user in a state of being preinstalled in the apparatus main body is configured by, for example, a ROM in which a program is recorded, a hard disk, or the like.

In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series along the order, but is not necessarily performed in time series, either in parallel or individually. The process to be executed is also included.
Further, in the present specification, the term “system” means an overall apparatus configured by a plurality of devices, a plurality of means, and the like.

Further, the expression “pen-type device” expresses that it can be held by hand.
Therefore, the pen-type device that is the reading device is not limited to the pen-type. Needless to say, the reading device may have any shape such as a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a conical shape, or a character or car shape.

1, 1-1, 1-2 ... top, 2 ... pen-type device, 3 ... board, 4-1, 4-2 ... portable terminal, 11 ... operation buttons, 12. ..Power button, 13 ... development operation button, 14 ... storage unit, 15 ... imaging unit, 16 ... irradiation unit, 17 ... pen tip switch, 18 ... LED, 21 ... Circle dot ring, 22 ... Hole, 23 ... Placement part, 51 ... Main control part, 52 ... ID code recognition part, 53 ... Dot code recognition part, 54 ..Button recognition unit, 55... Start control unit, 56... Communication unit, 57... LED control unit, 58.

Claims (12)

1. A first area in which an ID code for identifying a frame ID is formed;
   A second area in which a different medium on which a dot pattern in which at least one of a coordinate value and a code value is defined is formed can be imaged,
   A mounting unit that mounts a reading device having at least a reading function that images and reads both an ID code and a dot pattern so that the first region and the second region can be imaged;
   With top.
2. The second region is a region that is provided in the mounting portion and transmits light necessary for imaging the other medium,
   The first region is a region provided to surround the second region or to surround the second region in the mounting portion.
   The top according to claim 1.
3. In the first area, a dot pattern in which at least one of a coordinate value and a code value is defined is formed,
   The ID code is specified by one or more dot patterns.
   The top according to claim 1 or 2.
4. A reading device placed on the frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   A reading unit that images and reads both the ID code and the dot pattern in a state of being placed on the frame;
   A reading apparatus comprising:
5. An operation unit that is disposed on the opposite side of the reading unit in a state where the reading device is placed on the frame, and is operated by a user;
   The reading device according to claim 4.
6. The operation unit includes a button pressed by the user,
   The reading device according to claim 5.
7. Further comprising an activation unit that activates at least the reading unit on the condition that the reading device is placed on the frame;
   The reading device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
8. The activation unit includes a switch that is turned on when the reading device is placed on the frame and turned off when the placement is released.
   The reading device according to claim 7.
9. A transmission unit that transmits the information read by the reading unit to an external device;
   The reading device according to any one of claims 4 to 8.
10. An output unit that outputs at least one of voice, light, characters, and graphics corresponding to the information read by the reading unit;
    The reading device according to any one of claims 4 to 9.
11. A control unit that executes control to change a time interval of reading timing in the reading unit;
    The reading device according to any one of claims 4 to 10.
12. The control unit further detects the presence or absence of movement of the reading device placed on the frame, and executes control to change the time interval based on the detection result;
    The reading device according to claim 11.

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