Method for communications and game device

• US 20060111187A1
• Filed: 10/27/2005
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Miyazaki, Yoshio
• Application Number:
  US11/260,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20060111187A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• 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: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3271 Power saving in keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

According to a game system, the communication period between a radio controller serving as a slave and a game device serving as a master can be made variable in a power saving mode. In a scene which requires a certain real-time level, the communication period is shortened, while in a scene which does not require a certain real-time level, the communication period is elongated. This variability of communication period as appropriate in the power saving mode can reduce power consumption without degrading the game characteristic.

Claims

1. A method for wirelessly communicating information between a game device and a controller for the game device, the information being reflected on a game image to be displayed on a display, wherein

a communication period is variably set with respect to a level of real-time requirement.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication period is variably set with respect to a frame rate of the game image, the frame rate serving as the level of real-time requirement.

3. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication period is set during a power saving mode.

4. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication period is set according to a type of the game image, a title of the game, or a genre of the game.

5. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication period is set based on a delay that is permitted in reflecting the information sent from the game device controller on the game image, thereby reducing power requirements of the game device controller.

6. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication period is changed between during a setting mode of a game and during a play of the game.

7. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein a default value for the communication period is preset, and the communication period is determined by selecting from among a mode in which the default value is used for the communication period and a mode in which the communication period is variably set.

8. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication period is set based on an instruction from a user.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, wherein the communication period is set, thereby allowing the user to set a response speed of a game character.

10. A communication method for communicating information between a master and a slave, the information being reflected on an image to be displayed on a display, wherein

a communication period is variably set with respect to a frame rate of the image.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein the communication period is set during a power saving mode.

12. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein the master and the slave are wirelessly connected to each other, and the slave is a battery-powered portable terminal.

13. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein the communication period is set according to a type of the image to be displayed.

14. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein the communication period is set based on a delay that is permitted in reflecting the information sent from the slave on the image, thereby reducing power requirements of the slave.

15. A game device for wirelessly communicating information with a controller for the game device, the information being reflected on a game image to be displayed on a display, wherein

a communication period is variably set with respect to a frame rate of the game image.

16. The game device according to claim 15, wherein the communication period is set in a power saving mode.

17. The game device according to claim 15, wherein the communication period is set based on an instruction from a user.

18. The game device according to claim 17, wherein the communication period is set, thereby allowing the user to set a response speed of a game character.

19. A program for allowing a computer to realize

a function for variably setting a communication period with respect to an image frame rate, and

a function for using the communication period having been set to communicate information being reflected on an image to be displayed on a display.