Controller device, information processing system, and communication method

• US 8,599,135 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2012
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Shimohata, Yasuyuki, Ito, Kuniaki, Ueki, Jumpei
• Primary Examiner(s): Dharia, Prabodh M
• Application Number:
  US13/702,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20130314339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-179, 345/660, 463 31- 43, 702/191
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/217 using environment-related information, i.e. information generated otherwise than by the player, e.g. ambient temperature or humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• 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 13/355 Performing operations on behalf of clients with restricted processing capabilities, e.g. servers transform changing game scene into an encoded video stream for transmitting to a mobile phone or a thin client
• 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 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/402 Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/538 for performing operations on behalf of the game client, e.g. rendering
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0381 Multimodal input, i.e. interface arrangements enabling the user to issue commands by simultaneous use of input devices of different nature, e.g. voice plus gesture on digitizer
• 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 3/0346 : 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 3/0354 : with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 : Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 : Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 : using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A controller device transmits operation data to an information processing device. The controller device wirelessly communicates with the information processing device. The controller device includes an operation unit, a generating unit, and a communication unit. The operation unit includes at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, and a touch panel. The generating unit generates operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit. The communication unit wirelessly transmits the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle. The operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes: data representing a value obtained by adding together nine pieces of angular velocity detected by the gyrosensor; data representing one piece of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor; data representing one piece of direction detected by the direction input unit; and data representing ten pieces of position detected by the touch panel.

Claims

1. A controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device, the controller device comprising:

an operation unit including at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, and a touch panel;

a generating unit for generating operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit; and

a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle,

wherein the operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes;

data representing a value obtained by adding together nine pieces of angular velocity detected by the gyrosensor;

data representing one piece of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor;

data representing one piece of direction detected by the direction input unit; and

data representing ten pieces of position detected by the touch panel.

2. The controller device according to claim 1, wherein:

the operation unit further includes a magnetic sensor; and

the generating unit generates the operation data further including data representing one piece of magnetic direction detected by the magnetic sensor.

3. The controller device according to claim 1, wherein the generating unit generates the operation data including, as the data representing one piece of acceleration, data representing an average value among accelerations for a plurality of iterations detected by the acceleration sensor.

4. The controller device according to claim 1, wherein the generating unit generates the operation data including, as the data representing one piece of direction, data representing an average value among directions for a plurality of iterations detected by the direction input unit.

5. The controller device according to claim 3, wherein the generating unit includes, in the operation data, data representing an average value among accelerations for 2 to the n^th power iterations (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

6. The controller device according to claim 1, wherein:

the communication unit transmits, to the information processing device, sensor characteristic data separately from the operation data, the sensor characteristic data representing a sensor input-output relationship (input-output characteristic) of at least one of the gyrosensor and the acceleration sensor; and

the information processing device executes an information process based on the sensor characteristic data and the operation data in accordance with a detection result of the sensor associated with the sensor characteristic data.

7. The controller device according to claim 1, wherein:

the communication unit receives, from the information processing device, one image'"'"'s worth of data of an image generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, with a frequency that is lower than a frequency with which the operation data is transmitted; and

the controller device further comprises a display unit for displaying the image received from the information processing device.

8. A controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device, the controller device comprising:

an operation unit including at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, a magnetic sensor, and a touch panel;

a generating unit for generating operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit; and

a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle,

wherein the operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes;

data representing a value obtained by adding together angular velocities for nine iterations detected by the gyrosensor;

data representing an average value among accelerations for four iterations detected by the acceleration sensor;

data representing an average value among directions for four iterations detected by the direction input unit;

data representing a magnetic direction for one iteration detected by the magnetic sensor; and

data representing positions for ten iterations detected by the touch panel.

9. The controller device according to claim 8, wherein:

the communication unit transmits, to the information processing device, sensor characteristic data separately from the operation data, the sensor characteristic data representing a sensor input-output relationship (input-output characteristic) of at least one of the gyrosensor and the acceleration sensor; and

the information processing device executes an information process based on the sensor characteristic data and the operation data in accordance with a detection result of the sensor associated with the sensor characteristic data.

10. The controller device according to claim 8, wherein:

the communication unit receives, from the information processing device, one image'"'"'s worth of data of an image generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, with a frequency that is lower than a frequency with which the operation data is transmitted; and

the controller device further comprises a display unit for displaying the image received from the information processing device.

11. A controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device, the controller device comprising:

an operation unit including at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, and a touch panel;

a generating unit for generating operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit; and

a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle,

wherein the operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes;

data representing a value obtained by adding together angular velocities for a plurality of iterations detected by the gyrosensor;

data representing an average value among accelerations for a plurality of iterations detected by the acceleration sensor; and

data representing positions for a plurality of iterations detected by the touch panel.

12. The controller device according to claim 11, wherein:

the operation unit further includes a magnetic sensor; and

the generating unit includes, in the operation data, data representing a magnetic direction for one iteration detected by the magnetic sensor.

13. The controller device according to claim 11, wherein the generating unit includes, in the operation data, data representing an average value among accelerations for 2 to the n^th power iterations (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

14. The controller device according to claim 11, wherein:

the communication unit transmits, to the information processing device, sensor characteristic data separately from the operation data, the sensor characteristic data representing a sensor input-output relationship (input-output characteristic) of at least one of the gyrosensor and the acceleration sensor; and

the information processing device executes an information process based on the sensor characteristic data and the operation data in accordance with a detection result of the sensor associated with the sensor characteristic data.

15. The controller device according to claim 11, wherein:

the communication unit receives, from the information processing device, one image'"'"'s worth of data of an image generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, with a frequency that is lower than a frequency with which the operation data is transmitted; and

the controller device further comprises a display unit for displaying the image received from the information processing device.

16. A controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device, the controller device comprising:

a first sensor;

a second sensor for outputting detection results with a higher frequency than the first sensor;

a third sensor for outputting detection results with a higher frequency than the second sensor;

a generating unit for generating operation data including data representing a value for one iteration detected by the first sensor, data representing an average value among values for a plurality of iterations detected by the second sensor, and data representing a sum of values for a plurality of iterations detected by the third sensor; and

a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle.

17. The controller device according to claim 16, wherein

the first sensor is a magnetic sensor;

the second sensor is an acceleration sensor; and

the third sensor is a gyrosensor.

18. The controller device according to claim 17, wherein the generating unit includes, in the operation data, data representing an average value among accelerations for 2 to the n^th power iterations (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

19. The controller device according to claim 16, wherein:

the communication unit transmits, to the information processing device, sensor characteristic data separately from the operation data, the sensor characteristic data representing a sensor input-output relationship (input-output characteristic) of at least one of the gyrosensor and the acceleration sensor; and

the information processing device executes an information process based on the sensor characteristic data and the operation data in accordance with a detection result of the sensor associated with the sensor characteristic data.

20. The controller device according to claim 16, wherein:

the communication unit receives, from the information processing device, one image'"'"'s worth of data of an image generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, with a frequency that is lower than a frequency with which the operation data is transmitted; and

the controller device further comprises a display unit for displaying the image received from the information processing device.

21. An information processing system comprising an information processing device and a controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with the information processing device, wherein:

the controller device comprises;

an operation unit including at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, and a touch panel;

a generating unit for generating operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit; and

a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle;

the operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes;

data representing a value obtained by adding together nine pieces of angular velocity detected by the gyrosensor;

data representing one piece of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor;

data representing one piece of direction detected by the direction input unit; and

data representing ten pieces of position detected by the touch panel; and

the information processing device receives the operation data.

22. The information processing system according to claim 21, wherein:

the operation unit further includes a magnetic sensor; and

the generating unit generates the operation data further including data representing one piece of magnetic direction detected by the magnetic sensor.

23. The information processing system according to claim 21, wherein the generating unit includes, in the operation data, data representing an average value among accelerations for 2 to the n^th power iterations (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

24. An information processing system comprising an information processing device and a controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with the information processing device, wherein:

the controller device comprises;

an operation unit including at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, a magnetic sensor, and a touch panel;

a generating unit for generating operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit; and

a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle;

the operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes;

data representing a value obtained by adding together angular velocities for nine iterations detected by the gyrosensor;

data representing an average value among accelerations for four iterations detected by the acceleration sensor;

data representing an average value among directions for four iterations detected by the direction input unit;

data representing a magnetic direction for one iteration detected by the magnetic sensor; and

data representing positions for ten iterations detected by the touch panel; and

the information processing device receives the operation data.

25. An information processing system comprising an information processing device and a controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with the information processing device, wherein:

the controller device comprises;

an operation unit including at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, and a touch panel;

a generating unit for generating operation data based on data obtained from the operation unit; and

a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle;

the operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes;

data representing a value obtained by adding together angular velocities for a plurality of iterations detected by the gyrosensor;

data representing an average value among accelerations for a plurality of iterations detected by the acceleration sensor; and

data representing positions for a plurality of iterations detected by the touch panel; and

the information processing device receives the operation data.

26. The information processing system according to claim 25, wherein:

the operation unit further includes a magnetic sensor; and

the generating unit generates the operation data so that data representing a magnetic direction for one iteration detected by the magnetic sensor is included therein.

27. The information processing system according to claim 25, wherein the generating unit includes, in the operation data, data representing an average value among accelerations for 2 to the n^th power iterations (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

28. An information processing system comprising an information processing device and a controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with the information processing device, the controller device comprising:

a first sensor;

a second sensor for outputting detection results with a higher frequency than the first sensor;

a third sensor for outputting detection results with a higher frequency than the second sensor;

a generating unit for generating operation data including data representing a value for one iteration detected by the first sensor, data representing an average value among values for a plurality of iterations detected by the second sensor, and data representing a sum of values for a plurality of iterations detected by the third sensor; and

a communication unit for wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle,

wherein the information processing device receives the operation data.

29. The information processing system according to claim 28, wherein:

the first sensor is a magnetic sensor;

the second sensor is an acceleration sensor; and

the third sensor is a gyrosensor.

30. The information processing system according to claim 29, wherein the generating unit includes, in the operation data, data representing an average value among accelerations for 2 to the n^th power iterations (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

31. A communication method carried out in a controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device, the communication method comprising:

a generating step of generating operation data based on data obtained from an operation unit including at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, and a touch panel; and

a communication step of wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle,

wherein the operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes;

data representing a value obtained by adding together nine pieces of angular velocity detected by the gyrosensor;

data representing one piece of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor;

data representing one piece of direction detected by the direction input unit; and

data representing ten pieces of position detected by the touch panel.

32. The communication method according to claim 31, wherein:

The operation unit further includes a magnetic sensor; and

in the generating step, the controller device generates the operation data further including data representing one piece of magnetic direction detected by the magnetic sensor.

33. The communication method according to claim 31, wherein in the generating step, the controller device generates the operation data including, as the data representing one piece of acceleration, data representing an average value among accelerations for a plurality of iterations detected by the acceleration sensor.

34. The communication method according to claim 31, wherein in the generating step, the controller device generates the operation data including, as the data representing one piece of direction, data representing an average value among directions for a plurality of iterations detected by the direction input unit.

35. The communication method according to claim 33, wherein in the generating step, the controller device includes, in the operation data, data representing an average value among accelerations for 2 to the n^th power iterations (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

36. The communication method according to claim 31, wherein:

in the communication step, the controller device transmits, to the information processing device, sensor characteristic data separately from the operation data, the sensor characteristic data representing a sensor input-output relationship (input-output characteristic) of at least one of the gyrosensor and the acceleration sensor; and

the information processing device executes an information process based on the sensor characteristic data and the operation data in accordance with a detection result of the sensor associated with the sensor characteristic data.

37. The communication method according to claim 31, wherein:

in the communication step, the controller device receives, from the information processing device, one image'"'"'s worth of data of an image generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, with a frequency that is lower than a frequency with which the operation data is transmitted; and

the communication method further comprises a display step of displaying the image received from the information processing device.

38. A communication method carried out in a controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device, the communication method comprising:

a generating step of generating operation data based on data obtained from an operation unit including at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, a direction input unit, a magnetic sensor, and a touch panel; and

a communication step of wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle,

wherein the operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes;

data representing a value obtained by adding together angular velocities for nine iterations detected by the gyrosensor;

data representing an average value among accelerations for four iterations detected by the acceleration sensor;

data representing an average value among directions for four iterations detected by the direction input unit;

data representing a magnetic direction for one iteration detected by the magnetic sensor; and

data representing positions for ten iterations detected by the touch panel.

39. The communication method according to claim 38, wherein:

in the communication step, the controller device transmits, to the information processing device, sensor characteristic data separately from the operation data, the sensor characteristic data representing a sensor input-output relationship (input-output characteristic) of at least one of the gyrosensor and the acceleration sensor; and

the information processing device executes an information process based on the sensor characteristic data and the operation data in accordance with a detection result of the sensor associated with the sensor characteristic data.

40. The communication method according to claim 38, wherein:

in the communication step, the controller device receives, from the information processing device, one image'"'"'s worth of data of an image generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, with a frequency that is lower than a frequency with which the operation data is transmitted; and

the communication method further comprises a display step of displaying the image received from the information processing device.

41. A communication method carried out in a controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device, the communication method comprising:

a generating step of generating operation data based on data obtained from an operation unit including at least a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, and a touch panel; and

a communication step of wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle,

wherein the operation data transmitted in a single transmission includes;

data representing a value obtained by adding together angular velocities for a plurality of iterations detected by the gyrosensor;

data representing an average value among accelerations for a plurality of iterations detected by the acceleration sensor; and

data representing positions for a plurality of iterations detected by the touch panel.

42. The communication method according to claim 41, wherein:

the operation unit further includes a magnetic sensor; and

the generating unit generates the operation data so that data representing a magnetic direction for one iteration detected by the magnetic sensor is included therein.

43. The communication method according to claim 41, wherein in the generating step, the controller device includes, in the operation data, data representing an average value among accelerations for 2 to the n^th power iterations (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

44. The communication method according to claim 41, wherein:

in the communication step, the controller device transmits, to the information processing device, sensor characteristic data separately from the operation data, the sensor characteristic data representing a sensor input-output relationship (input-output characteristic) of at least one of the gyrosensor and the acceleration sensor; and

the information processing device executes an information process based on the sensor characteristic data and the operation data in accordance with a detection result of the sensor associated with the sensor characteristic data.

45. The communication method according to claim 41, wherein:

in the communication step, the controller device receives, from the information processing device, one image'"'"'s worth of data of an image generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, with a frequency that is lower than a frequency with which the operation data is transmitted; and

the communication method further comprises a display step of displaying the image received from the information processing device.

46. A communication method carried out in a controller device capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device, wherein:

the controller device includes a first sensor, a second sensor for outputting detection results with a higher frequency than the first sensor, and a third sensor for outputting detection results with a higher frequency than the second sensor, the communication method comprising;

a generating step of generating operation data including data representing a value for one iteration detected by the first sensor, data representing an average value among values for a plurality of iterations detected by the second sensor, and data representing a sum of values for a plurality of iterations detected by the third sensor; and

a communication step of wirelessly transmitting the operation data to the information processing device for each iteration of a predetermined cycle.

47. The communication method according to claim 46, wherein:

the first sensor is a magnetic sensor;

the second sensor is an acceleration sensor; and

the third sensor is a gyrosensor.

48. The communication method according to claim 47, wherein in the generating step, the controller device includes, in the operation data, data representing an average value among accelerations for 2 to the n^th power iterations (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1).

49. The communication method according to claim 46, wherein:

in the communication step, the controller device transmits, to the information processing device, sensor characteristic data separately from the operation data, the sensor characteristic data representing a sensor input-output relationship (input-output characteristic) of at least one of the gyrosensor and the acceleration sensor; and

the information processing device executes an information process based on the sensor characteristic data and the operation data in accordance with a detection result of the sensor associated with the sensor characteristic data.

50. The communication method according to claim 46, wherein:

in the communication step, the controller device receives, from the information processing device, one image'"'"'s worth of data of an image generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on the operation data, with a frequency that is lower than a frequency with which the operation data is transmitted; and

the communication method further comprises a display step of displaying the image received from the information processing device.