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

• US 20050245316A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• 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 7,264,548 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. A method for generating identification information for indication to a user of an operation terminal, comprising:

connecting an information processing device to a plurality of unitary operation terminals each including a transceiver for providing bi-directional communication with the information processing device, each operation terminal being operable by a user to generate input and to transmit the input via the transceiver to the information processing device for controlling specific information processing performed by the information processing device;

generating identification information identifying the specific information processing controllable by the operation terminals;

outputting the identification information from the information processing device to the plurality of operation terminals; and

receiving the identification information in the operation terminals and identifying to the user the specific information processing controllable by the operation terminals based on the received identification information.

2. The method for generating identification information for indication to a user of an operation terminal according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes information for symbolizing the specific information processing controllable by the operation terminals.

3. The method for generating identification information for indication to a user of an operation terminal according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes information which can be displayed on a display unit provided to the operation terminals.

4. The method for generating identification information for indication to a user of an operation terminal according to claim 1, further comprising:

initializing a table in which at least a subset of the plurality of operation terminals is listed;

detecting an operation terminal not listed in the table; and

entering the detected operation terminal into the table,

wherein the generating step further includes generating identification information for the operation terminals listed in the table and the outputting step further includes outputting the identification information to the operation terminals listed in the table.

5. The method for generating identification information for indication to a user of an operation terminal according to claim 4, wherein the detecting step includes attempting to establish communication with the plurality of operation terminals listed in the table, the method further comprising selectively deleting from the table any operation terminal with which communication is not established.

6. A unitary operation terminal, comprising:

means for generating input as controlled by an operator;

means for displaying visually recognizable information to the operator;

a transceiver for providing bi-directional communication with an information processing device to which the operation terminal is connectable, the transceiver being operable to transmit the generated input to the information processing device and to receive at least identification information identifying specific information processing performed by the information processing device that is controllable by the operation terminal,

wherein the displaying means is operable to identify the operation terminal based on the received identification information.

7. The operation terminal according to claim 6, wherein the identification information includes information for symbolizing the specific information processing that is controllable by the operation terminal.

8. An operation terminal operable by an operator and connectable to an information processing device and capable of receiving information from the information processing device, comprising:

a display; and

a receiver operable to receive at least identification information identifying specific information being handled by the information processing device under control of the operation terminal from among all information handled by the information processing device,

wherein the display is operable to identify the specific information handled by the information processing device under control of the operation terminal based on the received identification information.

9. An information communication system, comprising:

an information processing device; and

a plurality of operation terminals connected to the information processing device, each operating terminal including a transceiver for effecting bi-directional information communication with the information processing device, and display means, the information processing device including;

means for generating identification information identifying specific information processing controllable by the operation terminals; and

means for outputting the identification information to the operation terminals such that the operation terminals receive the identification information and identify to an operator the specific information processing controllable by the operation terminals based on the received identification information.

10. The information communication system according to claim 9, wherein the means for generating the identification information includes means for generating information for symbolizing the specific information processing controllable by the operation terminals.

11. An information communication system, comprising:

an information processing device;

a plurality of unitary operation terminals each including a transceiver and a display, each operation terminal being operable by a user to communicate bi-directionally with the information processing device, to generate input and transmit the input via the transceiver to the information processing device for controlling specific information processing performed by the information processing device, and to receive identification information from the information processing device identifying the specific information processing controllable by the operation terminal,

the information processing device being operable to generate the identification information and to output the identification information to the operation terminals, and the display of each operation terminal being operable to indicate visually to a user the specific information processing controllable by the operation terminal based on the received identification information.