Video game using dual motion sensing controllers

• US 8,535,155 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Koizumi, Yoshiaki, Hayakawa, Takeshi, Aoyagi, Norihiro, Ishihara, Seiki
• Primary Examiner(s): GALKA, LAWRENCE STEFAN
• Application Number:
  US11/790,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20080015031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,335 Days
• Field of Search: 463 6- 8, 463 36- 38, 345156-158, 345/161
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• 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 2203/0382 Plural input, i.e. interface arrangements in which a plurality of input device of the same type are in communication with a PC
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 : with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 : with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 : Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 : Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 : Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object

Abstract

An inclination of a first unit is detected based on an output from a first acceleration sensor provided in a first unit of a controller, and an inclination of a second unit is detected based on an output from a second acceleration sensor provided in a second unit separate from the first unit. A difference between the inclinations of the first unit and the second unit is detected, and game control is performed using the detected difference. Thus, with a game apparatus using a plurality of acceleration sensors or a plurality of sensors capable of detecting a motion or a posture, a dynamic play is made possible with a high degree of freedom of motion and an intuitive motion input is realized.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a game program for executing game control using an output from a first sensor provided in a first housing and capable of detecting an inclination and an output from a second sensor provided in a second housing separate from the first housing and capable of detecting an inclination, the game program causing a computer of a game apparatus to perform at least:

reference value setting instruction detection for detecting a reference value setting instruction inputted by a player from at least one of the first housing and the second housing;

reference value setting for setting a first reference value and a second reference value as respective reference postures of the first housing and the second housing based on at least one of an output value from the first sensor and an output value from the second sensor, in accordance with the input of the reference value setting instruction from one of the first housing and the second housing;

first posture detection for detecting a posture of the first housing based on an output value from the first sensor and the first reference value;

second posture detection for detecting a posture of the second housing based on an output value from the second sensor and the second reference value;

posture difference detection for detecting a difference between the posture of the first housing detected by the first posture detection and the posture of the second housing detected by the second posture detection; and

game control for executing game control using the difference detected by the posture difference detection, wherein

the first housing and the second housing are detached from any common fixed structure and are swung by a user in space.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein

the reference value setting sets the first reference value and the second reference value at the same timing in accordance with the reference value setting instruction detection detecting a single reference value setting instruction.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein

when the reference value setting instruction detection detects the reference value setting instruction, the reference value setting sets a value obtained by a predetermined calculation based on an output value from the first sensor and an output value from the second sensor, commonly as the first reference value and the second reference value.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein

when the reference value setting instruction detection detects the reference value setting instruction, the reference value setting sets a value based on either an output value from the first sensor or an output value from the second sensor, commonly as the first reference value and the second reference value.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 4, wherein:

the first housing and/or the second housing includes a switch for allowing the player to input the reference value setting instruction; and

when the reference value setting instruction detection detects the reference value setting instruction, the reference value setting commonly sets the first reference value and the second reference value based on an output value from either the first sensor or the second sensor which does not include the switch used for inputting the reference value setting instruction.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein:

the reference value setting comprises reference value setting time difference detection for, when the reference value setting instruction detection detects the reference value setting instruction, determining whether or not a difference between the inclination of the first housing and the inclination of the second housing is within a predetermined range, based on an output value from the first sensor and an output value from the second sensor; and

the reference value setting performs;

(a) when the reference value setting time difference detection determines that the difference is within the predetermined range,

setting the first reference value and the second reference value respectively based on the output value from the first sensor and the output value from the second sensor; and

(b) when the reference value setting time difference detection determines that the difference is not within the predetermined range,

executing error processing.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein

a first sensor is an acceleration sensor or a gyrosensor and a second sensor is an acceleration sensor or a gyrosensor.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 7, wherein:

the game program further causes the computer to perform;

posture average detection for detecting an average of the posture of the first housing detected by the first posture detection and the posture of the second housing detected by the second posture detection; and

the game control executes the game control using both the difference detected by the posture difference detection and the average detected by the posture average detection.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 7, wherein:

the game control comprises first motion control for controlling a first motion of a game object using the difference detected by the posture difference detection; and

the game program further causes the computer to perform second motion control for controlling a second motion of the game object based on an output from a switch provided in the first housing or the second housing.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 7, wherein:

the first sensor usable for detecting the posture of the first housing and the second sensor usable for detecting the posture of the second housing are acceleration sensors;

the first posture detection detects an inclination of the first housing, and the second posture detection detects an inclination of the second housing;

the first posture detection comprises first housing state determination for determining whether or not the first housing is in a still state based on an output from the first sensor;

when the first housing state determination determines that the first housing is in a still state, the first posture detection outputs the inclination of the first housing detected based on the output from the first sensor as a valid detection result;

the second posture detection comprises second housing state determination for determining whether or not the second housing is in a still state based on an output from the second sensor; and

when the second housing state determination determines that the second housing is in a still state, the second posture detection outputs the inclination of the second housing detected based on the output from the second sensor as a valid detection result.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 10, wherein

only when the first housing state determination determines that the first housing is in a still state and also the second housing state determination determines that the second housing is in a still state, the game control executes the game control using the difference detected by the posture difference detection.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein

the game program further causes the computer to perform posture average detection for detecting an average of the posture of the first housing detected by the first posture detection and the posture of the second housing detected by the second posture detection;

and

the game control executes the game control using both the difference detected by the posture difference detection and the average detected by the posture average detection.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein

when the reference value setting instruction detection detects the reference value setting instruction, the reference value setting sets the first reference value and the second reference value respectively based on the output value from the first sensor and the output value from the second sensor.

14. A method for executing game control using an output from a first sensor provided in a first housing and capable of detecting an inclination and an output from a second sensor provided in a second housing separate from the first housing and capable of detecting an inclination, the method comprising:

detecting a reference value setting instruction inputted by a player from at least one of the first housing and the second housing;

setting a first reference value and a second reference value as respective reference postures of the first housing and the second housing based on at least one of an output value from the first sensor and an output value from the second sensor, in accordance with the input of the reference value setting instruction from one of the first housing and the second housing;

detecting a posture of the first housing based on an output value from the first sensor and the first reference value;

detecting a posture of the second housing based on an output value from the second sensor and the second reference value;

detecting a difference between the detected posture of the first housing and the detected posture of the second housing detected; and

executing game control using said detected difference between detected postures, wherein

the first housing and the second housing are detached from any common fixed structure and are swung by a user in space.

15. A system for executing game control using an output from a first sensor provided in a first housing and capable of detecting an inclination and an output from a second sensor provided in a second housing separate from the first housing and capable of detecting an inclination, the system comprising:

a processing system, including one or more computer processors, configured to;

detect a reference value setting instruction inputted by a player from at least one of the first housing and the second housing;

set a first reference value and a second reference value as respective reference postures of the first housing and the second housing based on at least one of an output value from the first sensor and an output value from the second sensor, in accordance with the input of the reference value setting instruction from one of the first housing and the second housing;

detect a posture of the first housing based on an output value from the first sensor and the first reference value;

detect a posture of the second housing based on an output value from the second sensor and the second reference value;

detecting a difference between the detected posture of the first housing and the detected posture of the second housing; and

execute game control using the detected difference between the detected postures, wherein

the first housing and the second housing are detached from any common fixed structure and are swung by a user in space.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a game program for executing game control using an output from a first sensor provided in a first housing and capable of detecting an inclination and an output from a second sensor provided in a second housing separate from the first housing and capable of detecting an inclination, the game program causing a computer of a game apparatus to perform:

detecting a reference value setting instruction from a player;

when a reference value setting instruction is detected, setting a value based on either an output value from the first sensor or an output value from the second sensor, commonly as the first reference value and the second reference value;

detecting a posture of the first housing based on an output value from the first sensor and the first reference value;

detecting a posture of the second housing based on an output value from the second sensor and the second reference value;

detecting a difference between the detected posture of the first housing and the detected posture of the second housing, and

executing game control using the detected difference between the detected postures, wherein

the first housing and the second housing are detached from any common fixed structure and are swung by a user in space.

17. A method for executing game control using an output from a first sensor provided in a first housing and capable of detecting an inclination and an output from a second sensor provided in a second housing separate from the first housing and capable of detecting an inclination, the method comprising:

detecting a reference value setting instruction from a player;

when a reference value setting instruction is detected, setting a value based on either an output value from the first sensor or an output value from the second sensor, commonly as the first reference value and the second reference value;

detecting a posture of the first housing based on an output value from the first sensor and the first reference value;

detecting a posture of the second housing based on an output value from the second sensor and the second reference value;

detecting a difference between the detected posture of the first housing and the detected posture of the second housing, and

executing game control using the detected difference between detected postures, wherein

the first housing and the second housing are detached from any common fixed structure and are swung by a user in space.

18. A system for executing game control using an output from a first sensor provided in a first housing and capable of detecting an inclination and an output from a second sensor provided in a second housing separate from the first housing and capable of detecting an inclination, the system comprising:

a processing system, including one or more computer processors, configured to;

detect a reference value setting instruction from a player;

when a reference value setting instruction is detected, set a value based on either an output value from the first sensor or an output value from the second sensor, commonly as the first reference value and the second reference value;

detect a posture of the first housing based on an output value from the first sensor and the first reference value;

detect a posture of the second housing based on an output value from the second sensor and the second reference value;

detect a difference between the detected posture of the first housing and the detected posture of the second housing, and

execute game control using the detected difference between the detected postures, wherein

the first housing and the second housing are detached from any common fixed structure and are swung by a user in space.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a game program for executing game control using an output from a first sensor provided in a first housing and capable of detecting an inclination and an output from a second sensor provided in a second housing separate from the first housing and capable of detecting an inclination, the game program causing a computer of a game apparatus to at least:

detect a reference value setting instruction from a player;

when a reference value setting instruction is detected, set a first reference value and a second reference value based on an output value from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor;

detect a posture of the first housing based on an output value from the first sensor and the first reference value;

detect a posture of the second housing based on an output value from the second sensor and the second reference value;

detect a difference between the detected posture of the first housing and the detected posture of the second housing; and

execute game control using the detected difference between the detected postures, wherein

the first housing and the second housing are detached from any common fixed structure and are swung by a user in space;

when the reference value setting instruction is detected, determine whether or not a difference between the inclination of the first housing and the inclination of the second housing is within a predetermined range, based on an output value from the first sensor and an output value from the second sensor; and

(a) when it is determined that the difference is within the predetermined range,

set the first reference value and the second reference value respectively based on the output value from the first sensor and the output value from the second sensor; and

(b) when it is determined that the difference is not within the predetermined range,

execute error processing.

20. A method for executing game control using an output from a first sensor provided in a first housing and capable of detecting an inclination and an output from a second sensor provided in a second housing separate from the first housing and capable of detecting an inclination, the method comprising:

detecting a reference value setting instruction from a player;

when a reference value setting instruction is detected, setting a first reference value and a second reference value based on an output value from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor;

detecting a posture of the first housing based on an output value from the first sensor and the first reference value;

detecting a posture of the second housing based on an output value from the second sensor and the second reference value;

detecting a difference between the detected posture of the first housing and the detected posture of the second housing; and

executing game control using the detected difference between detected postures, wherein

the first housing and the second housing are detached from any common fixed structure and are swung by a user in space;

when the reference value setting instruction is detected, determining whether or not a difference between the inclination of the first housing and the inclination of the second housing is within a predetermined range, based on an output value from the first sensor and an output value from the second sensor; and

(a) when it is determined that the difference is within the predetermined range, setting the first reference value and the second reference value respectively based on the output value from the first sensor and the output value from the second sensor; and

(b) when it is determined that the difference is not within the predetermined range, executing error processing.

21. A system for executing game control using an output from a first sensor provided in a first housing and capable of detecting an inclination and an output from a second sensor provided in a second housing separate from the first housing and capable of detecting an inclination, the system comprising:

a processing system, including one or more computer processors, configured to;

detect a reference value setting instruction from a player;

when a reference value setting instruction is detected, set a first reference value and a second reference value based on an output value from at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor;

detect a posture of the first housing based on an output value from the first sensor and the first reference value;

detect a posture of the second housing based on an output value from the second sensor and the second reference value;

detect a difference between the detected posture of the first housing and the detected posture of the second housing; and

execute game control using the detected difference between the detected postures, wherein

the first housing and the second housing are detached from any common fixed structure and are swung by a user in space;

when the reference value setting instruction is detected, determine whether or not a difference between the inclination of the first housing and the inclination of the second housing is within a predetermined range, based on an output value from the first sensor and an output value from the second sensor; and

(a) when it is determined that the difference is within the predetermined range, set the first reference value and the second reference value respectively based on the output value from the first sensor and the output value from the second sensor; and

(b) when it is determined that the difference is not within the predetermined range, execute error processing.