Information processing system comprising a plurality of operation terminal devices and an information processing device

• US 20020072410A1
• Filed: 08/24/2001
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Makoto, Dixit, Rajesh Kumar, Akazawa, Toru
• Granted Patent: US 6,939,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/843 involving concurrently two or more players on the same game device, e.g. requiring the use of a plurality of controllers or of a specific view of game data for each player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8088 involving concurrently several players in a non-networked game, e.g. on the same game console
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence

Abstract

In the disclosed invention, correlation information expressing the correlation between a plurality of operation terminal devices and information operable therethrough is generated, and such correlation information is output to the operation terminal devices. Such present invention allows the operators of the operation terminal devices to readily recognize the correlation between the operation terminal devices and information operable therethrough among information handled on an information processing devices.

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of connecting a plurality of operation terminals comprising:

means for generating correlation information expressing the correlation between said operation terminals and information operable therethrough; and

means for outputting said correlation information to the operation terminals.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the correlation information generates identification information by which a plurality of the operation terminals under connection can individually be identified as the correlation information.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the correlation information generates information for symbolizing information operable through the operation terminals as the correlation information.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the means for generating the correlation information generates information which can be displayed on a display unit provided to each of the operation terminals as the correlation information.

5. An information processing device capable of connecting a plurality of operation terminals comprising:

a unit for generating correlation information expressing the correlation between the operation terminals and information operable therethrough; and

a unit for outputting the correlation information to the operation terminals.

6. A method for processing information comprising the steps of:

generating correlation information expressing the correlation between a plurality of operation terminals and information operable therethrough; and

outputting the correlation information to the operation terminals.

7. A method for processing information according to claim 6, wherein the correlation information generated is identification information by which a plurality of the operation terminals under connection can individually be identified.

8. The method for processing information according to claim 6, wherein the correlation information generated is information for symbolizing information operable through the operation terminals.

9. The method for processing information according to claim 6, wherein the correlation information generated is information which can be displayed on a display unit provided to each of operation terminals.

10. The method for processing information according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

initializing a table in which a plurality of said operation terminals are entered;

detecting any operation terminal unlisted in the table;

entering such unlisted operation terminal into the table; and

generating correlation information for the operation terminals entered into the table and outputting such correlation information to the corresponding operation terminals.

11. The method for processing information according to claim 10, further comprising the step of selectively deleting from the table any operation terminal with which the communication did not establish.

13. The operation terminal device according to claim 12, wherein the correlation information is identification information by which a plurality of the operation terminals under connection can individually be identified.

14. The operation terminal device according to claim 12, wherein the correlation information is information for symbolizing information operable by the operator.

17. The information transmitting device according to claim 16, further comprising:

means for judging whether correlation information expressing the correlation between the operation terminals and information operable therethrough is successfully supplied from the information processing device or not; and

a control means for transmitting to the operation terminals the correlation information when the supply thereof was successful, and for transmitting to the operation terminals information corresponding with a value set by the value setting means when the supply of the correlation information was not successful.

20. The method for transmitting information according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

judging whether correlation information expressing the correlation between the operation terminals and information operable therethrough is successfully supplied from the information processing device or not; and

transmitting to the operation terminals the correlation information when the supply thereof was successful, and transmitting to the operation terminals information corresponding with the set value when the supply of the correlation information was not successful.

12. An operation terminal device connected to a predetermined information processing device and is capable of operating information handled by such information processing device comprising:

means for providing display visually recognizable by the operator; and

means for receiving at least correlation information expressing the correlation between the operator and information operable by such operator among all information handled by the information processing device;

wherein the correlation information is displayed on the means for providing display.

15. An operation terminal device connected to a predetermined information processing device and is capable of operating information handled by such information processing device comprising:

a unit for providing display visually recognizable by the operator; and

a unit for receiving at least correlation information expressing the correlation between the operator and information operable by such operator among all information handled by the information processing device;

wherein the correlation information is displayed on the unit for providing display.

16. An information transmitting device connected to a connection terminal of an information processing device capable of connecting a plurality of operation terminals, and transmitting information between the information processing device and the operation terminals, comprising;

a value setting means for setting a value corresponding with the connection to the connection terminal of the information processing device,

wherein information corresponding with the value set by the value setting means is transmitted to the operation terminals.

18. An information transmitting device connected to a connection terminal of an information processing device capable of connecting a plurality of operation terminals, and transmitting information between the information processing device and the operation terminals, comprising:

a unit for setting a value corresponding with the connection to the connection terminal of the information processing device,

wherein information corresponding with the value set by the value setting unit is transmitted to the operation terminals.

19. A method for transmitting information comprising the steps of:

detecting a set value corresponding with the connection to a connection terminal of an information processing device capable of connecting a plurality of operation terminals; and

transmitting information corresponding with the set value to the operation terminals.

21. An information communication system, which comprises a plurality of operation terminal devices and an information processing device capable of connecting a plurality of such operation terminal devices, for effecting information communication between the operation terminal devices and the information processing device,

wherein the information processing device further comprising:

means for generating correlation information expressing the correlation between the operation terminal devices and information operable therethrough; and

means for outputting said correlation information to the operation terminal devices,

the operation terminal devices further comprising;

means for providing display visually recognizable by the operator; and

means for receiving at least correlation information output from the information processing device;

wherein the correlation information is displayed on the means for providing display of the operation terminals.

22. The information communication system according to claim 21, wherein the means for generating said correlation information generates identification information by which a plurality of the operation terminal devices under connection can individually be identified.

23. The information communication system according to claim 21, wherein the means for generating the correlation information generates information for symbolizing information operable through the operation terminal devices.

26. The processing program according to claim 25, wherein the step for generating the correlation information further comprising the step of:

generating information by which a plurality of the operation terminals under connection can individually be identified.

27. The processing program according to claim 25, wherein the step for generating the correlation information further comprising the step of:

generating information for symbolizing information operable through the operation terminals.

28. The processing program according to claim 25, wherein the step for generating the correlation information further comprising the step of:

generating information which can be displayed on a display unit provided to each of the operation terminals.

29. The processing program according to claim 25, further comprising the steps of:

initializing a table in which a plurality of the operation terminals are entered;

detecting any operation terminal unlisted in the table;

entering such unlisted operation terminal into the table; and

generating correlation information for the operation terminals entered into the table and outputting such correlation information to the corresponding operation terminals.

30. The processing program according to claim 29, further comprising the step of selectively deleting from the table any operation terminal with which the communication did not established.

24. An information communication system, which comprises a plurality of operation terminal devices and an information processing device capable of connecting a plurality of such operation terminals, for effecting information communication between the operation terminal devices and the information processing device,

wherein the information processing device further comprising:

a unit for generating correlation information expressing the correlation between the operation terminal devices and information operable therethrough; and

a unit for outputting the correlation information to the operation terminal devices,

each of the operation terminal devices further comprising;

a unit for providing display visually recognizable by the operator; and

a unit for receiving at least correlation information output from the information processing device;

wherein the correlation information is displayed on the unit for providing display of the operation terminal devices.

25. A processing program comprising the steps of:

generating correlation information expressing the correlation between a plurality of operation terminals and information operable therethrough; and

outputting the correlation information to the corresponding operation terminals.

31. A recording medium storing a processing program, wherein the processing program comprising the steps of:

generating correlation information expressing the correlation between a plurality of operation terminals and information operable therethrough; and

outputting the correlation information to the corresponding operation terminals.

32. A recording medium storing a processing program according to claim 31, wherein the step of generating the correlation information generates identification information by which a plurality of the operation terminals under connection can individually be identified.

33. The recording medium storing a processing program according to claim 31, wherein the step of generating the correlation information generates information for symbolizing information operable through the operation terminals.

34. The recording medium storing a processing program according to claim 31, wherein the step of generating the correlation information generates information which can be displayed on a display unit provided to each of the operation terminals.

35. The recording medium storing a processing program according to claim 31, the processing program further comprising the steps of:

initializing a table in which a plurality of the operation terminals are entered;

detecting any operation terminal unlisted in the table;

entering such unlisted operation terminal into the table; and

generating correlation information for the operation terminals entered into the table and outputting such correlation information to the corresponding operation terminals.

36. The recording medium storing a processing program according to claim 35, the program further comprising the step of selectively deleting from the table any operation terminal with which the communication did not establish.