Portable type game device and method for controlling portable type game device

• US 9,662,583 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2009
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kawaguchi, Satoshi, Hiroi, Toshiyuki, Kageyama, Koji, Sugawara, Akihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ROSS A
• Application Number:
  US13/001,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20110159957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,899 Days
• Field of Search: 463 30- 33, 463 37
• 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 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/525 Changing parameters of virtual cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/655 by importing photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6018 where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/695 Imported photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors

Abstract

Provided are a portable game device and a method of controlling the portable game device capable of making improved use of an image generated by image pickup unit. A pickup object image generating unit (52) picks up an image of a pickup object and generates a pickup object image. A pickup object distance measuring unit (54) measures a distance to the pickup object. An information processing execution unit (56) executes information processing based on the pickup object image and the distance measured by the pickup object distance measuring unit (54).

Claims

1. A portable game device, comprising a control unit and an image pickup unit for generating an image,

wherein the image pickup unit comprises:

a plurality of lenses including a first lens and a second lens;

a plurality of shutters including a first shutter and a second shutter;

a reflective member which is supported and movable for reflecting light; and

a reflective member driving unit for moving the reflective member; and

an image pickup device for receiving the light reflected by the reflective member and generating the image,

wherein the image pickup unit repeats a plurality of processes including;

(i) moving the reflective member to a first position where the reflective member reflects light passing through the first lens and the first shutter toward the image pickup device;

(ii) opening and closing the first shutter;

(iii) receiving the light passing through the first lens and the first shutter and generating an image;

(iv) moving the reflective member to a second position where the reflective member reflects light passing through the second lens and the second shutter toward the image pickup device;

(v) opening and closing the second shutter; and

(vi) receiving the light passing through the second lens and the second shutter and generating an image, and

wherein, after the image pickup unit repeats the processes, the control unit generates a plurality of moving images including a first moving image and a second moving image, the first moving image being generated by combining a series of images generated by the image pickup device when the image pickup device receives the light passing through the first lens and the first shutter and the second moving image being generated by combining a series of images generated by the image pickup device when the image pickup device receives the light passing through the second lens and the second shutter, and

wherein the image pickup unit sequentially implements steps (i) to (vi) and repeats a cycle including steps (i) to (vi).

2. A method of controlling a portable game device comprising an image pickup unit for generating an image,

the image pickup unit comprising:

a plurality of lenses including a first lens and a second lens;

a plurality of shutters including a first shutter and a second shutter;

a reflective member which is supported and movable for reflecting light; and

an image pickup device for receiving the light reflected by the reflective member and generating the image,

wherein the method of controlling a portable game device repeats a plurality of processes including;

(i) moving the reflective member to a first position where the reflective member reflects light passing through the first lens and the first shutter toward the image pickup device;

(ii) opening and closing the first shutter;

(iii) receiving the light passing through the first lens and the first shutter and generating an image;

(iv) moving the reflective member to a second position where the reflective member reflects light passing through the second lens and the second shutter toward the image pickup device;

(v) opening and closing the second shutter; and

(vi) receiving the light passing through the second lens and the second shutter and generating an image,

wherein a plurality of moving images are generated including a first moving image and a second moving image, the first moving image being generated by combining a series of images generated by the image pickup device when the image pickup device receives the light passing through the first lens and the first shutter and the second moving image being generated by combining a series of images generated by the image pickup device when the image pickup device receives the light passing through the second lens and the second shutter, and

wherein the method of controlling the portable game device sequentially implements steps (i) to (vi) and repeats a cycle including steps (i) to (vi).