Storage Medium Having Stored Therein Information Processing Program, Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method and Information Processing System

• US 20120157129A1
• Filed: 06/20/2011
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: KUWAHARA, Masato
• Granted Patent: US 8,958,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/457
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/53 involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/402 Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

Provided is an information processing system which facilitates data communication between an information processing apparatus and another apparatus. Position data indicative of a position, at which the information processing apparatus which makes up the information processing system automatically performs short-distance wireless communication, is transmitted to a server. The server accumulates and stores the position indicated by the position data transmitted from each information processing apparatus. The position data accumulated and stored at the server is transmitted to an information processing apparatus when the server receives the request therefrom.

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising a plurality of information processing apparatuses and a server apparatus communicable with the plurality of information processing apparatuses, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses comprises:

position information acquisition means for acquiring a location of the information processing apparatus;

wireless communication means for repeatedly searching for another information processing apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other information processing apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established; and

communication information transmission means for transmitting to the server apparatus the location acquired by the position information acquisition means when the communication is performed by the wireless communication means, as a communication position of the information processing apparatus,

the server apparatus comprises;

record information generation means for generating record information, based on the respective communication positions transmitted by the communication information transmission means of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, the record information indicating respective records of the communication performed by the plurality of information processing apparatuses; and

record information transmission means for transmitting the record information generated by the record information generation means to the information processing apparatus, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses further comprises record information output means for outputting the record information transmitted by the record information transmission means of the server apparatus.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the record information output means outputs the communication positions indicated by the record information to display means for display.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the record information output means outputs a current location acquired by the position information acquisition means and the communication positions indicated by the record information to the display means for display.

4. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the record information output means outputs a map indicative of distribution of the communication positions indicated by the record information to the display means for display as a distribution map.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the record information output means outputs a map, in which respective images of the communication positions indicated by the record information are superimposed on a map image, to the display means for display as the distribution map.

6. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein, among the communication positions indicated by the record information, the communication positions that satisfy a predetermined positional relationship are grouped and the record information output means outputs a map, which includes a region formed of the grouped communication positions, to the display means for display as the distribution map.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the record information output means outputs the distribution map, on which an image of a center position of the region formed of the grouped communication positions is further superimposed, to the display means for display.

8. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the record information output means outputs the distribution map, on which an indicator for dividing the map into predetermined regions is further superimposed, to the display means for display.

9. The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein, based on the communication positions indicated by the record information, the record information output means calculates a density of the communication positions included in each of the predetermined regions into which the map is divided based on the indicator and outputs a map, in which the predetermined regions are classified by color depending on a calculation result, to the display means for display as the distribution map.

10. The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein the record information output means outputs a map, on which the indicator a fineness of which is adjusted according to the density of the communication positions included in each of the predetermined regions into which the map is divided based on the indicator, to the display means for display as the distribution map.

11. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein, based on the communication positions indicated by the record information, the record information output means calculates the density of the communication positions included in each of the predetermined regions into which the map is divided based on the indicator, and, if the calculated density of the communication positions in each of the respective predetermined regions is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the record information output means outputs a map, on which an indicator for more finely dividing the predetermined regions is superimposed, to the display means for display as the distribution map.

12. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the record information output means calculates a communication count which is obtained by counting the communication positions indicated by the record information in each of respective predetermined regions, and outputs a map indicative of distribution of the communication counts counted for each predetermined region to display means for display as a distribution map.

13. The information processing system according to claim 12, wherein the record information output means outputs a map in which the predetermined regions into which the map is divided based on an indicator are classified by color according to the communication counts counted for respective predetermined regions, to the display means for display as the distribution map.

14. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the record information output means outputs a list of respective names of regions that include the communication positions indicated by the record information, to display means for display.

15. The information processing system according to claim 14, wherein the record information output means extracts the regions that include the communication positions indicated by the record information from among regions of a map divided by a predetermined method, and outputs a list of respective names of the extracted regions to the display means for display.

16. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein

the communication information transmission means further transmits to the server apparatus time information regarding time associated with the communication position at which the communication is performed by the wireless communication means, together with the communication position, and

the record information generation means generates the record information which indicates, as the respective records of the communication, the respective communication positions of the plurality of information processing apparatuses transmitted by the communication information transmission means of each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses and the time information associated with the respective communication positions.

17. The information processing system according to claim 16, wherein the record information output means outputs the communication positions, which are associated with the time information within a predetermined time period and are included in a predetermined region, to display means for display.

18. The information processing system according to claim 17, wherein, among the communication positions indicated by the record information, the record information output means counts the communication positions, which are associated with the time information within a time period designated by a user and are included in a region specified by the user, as communication count, and outputs transition of the communication count within the time period to the display means for display.

19. The information processing system according to claim 18, wherein the record information output means outputs a result obtained by predicting, based on the communication positions and time information indicated by the record information, the transition of the communication count in the region specified by the user within the time period designated by the user, to display means for display.

20. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein

the communication information transmission means further transmits, to the server apparatus, program information indicative of a program which handles information communicated by the wireless communication means, together with the communication position at which the communication is performed by the wireless communication means,

the record information generation means generates the record information, based on the program information and communication position transmitted by the communication information transmission means of each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, the record information indicating the respective communication positions of the plurality of information processing apparatuses in association with the program indicated by the program information.

21. The information processing system according to claim 20, wherein the record information output means outputs the communication positions associated with the program information of a program selected by a user to display means for display.

22. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein

the communication information transmission means further transmits, to the server apparatus, user information indicative of a user of the information processing apparatus with which the communication is performed by the wireless communication means, together with the communication position at which the communication is performed by the wireless communication means,

the record information generation means generates the record information, based on the communication position and user information transmitted by the communication information transmission means of each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, the record information indicating the respective communication positions of the plurality of information processing apparatuses in association with the user information, as the respective records of the communication performed by the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

23. The information processing system according to claim 22, wherein the record information output means outputs the communication position associated with the user information indicative of a user previously registered in the own information processing apparatus, based on the communication position and user information indicated by the record information transmitted by the record information transmission means, to display means for display.

24. The information processing system according to claim 22, wherein

the server apparatus further comprises:

communication information reception means for receiving the communication position and user information together transmitted by the communication information transmission means of each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses; and

count means for counting the communication positions which are received by the communication information reception means within a predetermined time period for each user information transmitted together with the communication position.

25. An information processing apparatus communicable with another apparatus, comprising:

position information acquisition means for acquiring a location of the information processing apparatus;

wireless communication means for repeatedly searching for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established;

communication information transmission means for transmitting to a server apparatus the location acquired by the position information acquisition means when the communication is performed by the wireless communication means, as a communication position of the information processing apparatus; and

record information output means for outputting record information, which is generated by the server apparatus based on the communication position transmitted by the communication information transmission means of the information processing apparatus, as information indicative of a record of the communication performed by the information processing apparatus.

26. An information processing method used in an information processing apparatus communicable with another apparatus, comprising:

a position information acquisition step of acquiring a location of the information processing apparatus;

a wireless communication step of repeatedly searching for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established;

a communication information transmission step of transmitting to a server apparatus the location acquired in the position information acquisition step when the communication is performed in the wireless communication step, as a communication position of the information processing apparatus; and

a record information process step of outputting record information, which is generated by the server apparatus, based on the communication position transmitted in the communication information transmission step of the information processing apparatus, as information indicative of a record of the communication performed by the information processing apparatus.

27. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an information processing program executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus communicable with another apparatus, wherein

the information processing program causes the computer to function as:

position information acquisition means for acquiring a location of the information processing apparatus;

wireless communication means for repeatedly searching for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established;

communication information transmission means for transmitting to a server apparatus the location of the information processing apparatus acquired by the position information acquisition means when the communication is performed by the wireless communication means, as a communication position; and

record information output means for outputting record information, which is generated by the server apparatus based on the communication position transmitted by the communication information transmission means of the information processing apparatus, as information indicative of a record of the communication performed by the information processing apparatus.

28. A server apparatus communicable with a plurality of information processing apparatuses, comprising:

communication information reception means for receiving, from each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, a location as a communication position, at which each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses repeatedly searches for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established;

record information generation means for generating record information, based on the communication positions received by the communication information reception means, the record information indicating respective records of the communication performed by the plurality of information processing apparatuses; and

record information transmission means for transmitting the record information generated by the record information generation means to the information processing apparatus.

29. An information processing method used in a server apparatus communicable with a plurality of information processing apparatuses, the information processing method comprising:

a communication information reception step of receiving, from each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, a location as a communication position, at which each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses repeatedly searches for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established;

a record information generation step of generating record information, based on the communication positions received in the communication information reception step, the record information indicating respective records of the communication performed by the plurality of information processing apparatuses; and

a record information transmission step of transmitting the record information generated in the record information generation step to the information processing apparatus.

30. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an information processing program executed by a computer of a server apparatus communicable with a plurality of information processing apparatuses, wherein

the information processing program causes the computer to function as:

communication information reception means for receiving, from each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, a location as a communication position, at which each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses repeatedly searches for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established;

record information generation means for generating record information, based on the communication positions received by the communication information reception means, the record information indicating respective records of the communication performed by the plurality of information processing apparatuses; and

record information transmission means for transmitting the record information generated by the record information generation means to the information processing apparatus.

31. An information processing system comprising a plurality of information processing apparatuses and a server apparatus communicable with the plurality of information processing apparatuses, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses comprises:

position information acquisition means for acquiring a location of the information processing apparatus;

wireless communication means for repeatedly searching for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established; and

communication acceptance information transmission means for transmitting, to the server apparatus, communication acceptance information indicative of a state where the communication by the wireless communication means is acceptable, together with the location acquired by the position information acquisition means,

the server apparatus comprises

communication acceptable information transmission means for transmitting to each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses a latest location of the information processing apparatus capable of accepting the communication by the wireless communication means, the latest location being transmitted based on the communication acceptance information transmitted by the communication acceptance information transmission means of each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses further comprises output means for outputting the latest location transmitted by the communication acceptable information transmission means.

32. An information processing system comprising a plurality of information processing apparatuses and a server apparatus communicable with the plurality of information processing apparatuses, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses comprises:

position information acquisition means for acquiring a location of the information processing apparatus;

wireless communication means for repeatedly searching for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established; and

communication information transmission means for transmitting to the server apparatus the location acquired by the position information acquisition means when the communication is performed by the wireless communication means, as a communication position of the information processing apparatus,

the server apparatus comprises;

communication information storage means for accumulating and storing the communication position transmitted by the communication information transmission means of each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses;

generation means for generating the communication positions accumulated by the communication information storage means as output information to be output by each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses; and

output information transmission means for transmitting the output information generated by the generation means to each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses further comprises output means for outputting the output information transmitted by the output information transmission means.

33. An information processing system comprising a plurality of information processing apparatuses and a server apparatus communicable with the plurality of information processing apparatuses, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses comprises:

position information acquisition means for acquiring a location of the information processing apparatus;

wireless communication means for repeatedly searching for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically perform communication with the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established; and

communication information transmission means for transmitting to the server apparatus, as a communication position, either one of the location of the information processing apparatus acquired by the position information acquisition means when the communication is performed by the wireless communication means and a location acquired by the position information acquisition means of the communication partner,

the server apparatus comprises;

record information generation means for generating record information, generated based on the respective communication positions transmitted by the communication information transmission means of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, the record information indicating respective records of the communication performed by the plurality of information processing apparatuses; and

record information transmission means for transmitting the record information generated by the record information generation means to the information processing apparatus, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses further comprises record information output means for outputting the record information transmitted by the record information transmission means of the server apparatus.

34. An information processing system comprising a plurality of information processing apparatuses and a server apparatus communicable with the plurality of information processing apparatuses, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses comprises:

position information acquisition means for acquiring a location of the information processing apparatus;

wireless communication means for repeatedly searching for another apparatus that is within a short-distance wireless communication range and which has necessary information to be transmitted/received, to automatically establish a wireless connection therewith and automatically transmit/receive the necessary information to/from the other apparatus, as a communication partner, with which the wireless connection is established, and

communication information transmission means for transmitting to the server apparatus the location acquired by the position information acquisition means when the necessary transmission/reception of the information is conducted to/from the communication partner, as a communication position of the information processing apparatus,

the server apparatus comprises;

record information generation means for generating record information, based on the respective communication positions transmitted by the communication information transmission means of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, the record information indicating respective records of the communication performed by the plurality of information processing apparatuses; and

record information transmission means for transmitting the record information generated by the record information generation means to the information processing apparatus, wherein

each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses further comprises record information output means for outputting the record information transmitted by the record information transmission means of the server apparatus.