Information processing system

• US 6,872,139 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Sato, Masaki, Inoue, Susumu
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOSSER, ROBERT E
• Application Number:
  US09/988,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20020098889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/39, 463/47, 273/148.B, 345/161, 345/163, 345/168, 345/169, 700 83- 85
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections

Abstract

When setting (changing) a reception mode in a receiving unit 40, a CPU 62 issues a reception mode command to the receiving unit 40. Having received the command, a serial interface 53 writes the command to a command buffer 52. A protocol controller 50 analyzes the command which has been written to the command buffer 52 to determine whether the reception mode is a FIX mode or an UNFIX mode, and writes a corresponding status (a device ID, unique ID, mode, etc.) to a status memory 54. Then, when data is received from a transmission unit 20, the receiving unit 40 refers to the status which has been written to determine whether or not the received data is from a transmission system which has been set.

Claims

1. An information processing system for receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmission device which wirelessly transmits operation information, comprising:

a receiving device for receiving transmitted data from any said transmission device and outputting the received data, and

a processing device for performing a process based on the data outputted from the receiving device,

wherein said transmitted data includes;

a system identification code, which is found in said transmission and said processing device, for identifying a type of processing device for which said transmission device is compatible,

a device identification code, which is found in said transmission device, for identifying the device type of said transmission device,

a unique identification code, which is found in said transmission device, for uniquely identifying said transmission device from any other transmission device of a same type, and

operation data which corresponds to the operation information,

wherein the receiving device includes;

a receiving section for receiving transmitted data from any said transmission device,

a criterion setting section for setting therein a criterion relating at least to a system identification code and device identification code concerning processing of received data, and

a determination section for determining whether or not the data received by the receiving section complies with the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, and only outputting data which complies with the criterion to the processing device,

wherein the processing device includes a processing section for performing a process which is in accordance with the operation information based on the data outputted from the receiving device,

wherein the receiving device and/or the processing device further includes a criterion changing section for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, the criterion changing section included in the processing device further includes a control information sending section for sending to the receiving device control information for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, and

wherein when the receiving device and/or the processing device sets in the criterion a system identification code and a device identification code, but not a unique identification, the information processing system accepts as input transmitted data from any transmission device having the set system and device identification codes.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section is set in such a manner that only data which is in accordance with the processing device is outputted from the determination section.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the determination section further determines whether or not the data received by the receiving section complies with the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, and outputs only data which complies with the criterion to the processing device.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the control information sending section sends the control information to the receiving device to ensure that only data which is in accordance with a process to be performed is outputted from the determination section.

5. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the receiving section receives via time-sharing the data transmitted from any plurality of said transmission devices, and

wherein the control information sending section sends the control information to the receiving device to ensure that the data received by the receiving section via time-sharing is outputted to the processing device.

6. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein at least information concerning an identification code of the transmission device transmitted as data together with the operation information is set as the criterion in the criterion setting section, and

wherein the determination section determines whether or not the identification code contained in the data received by the receiving section and the information concerning the identification code which is set in the criterion setting section satisfy a predetermined relationship.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the information concerning the identification code which is set in the criterion setting section is based on the identification code transmitted together with the operation information which is first received by the receiving section.

8. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the receiving device further includes a display section for indicating an interfered state in response to a result of the determination by the determination section.

9. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the processing device is capable of executing a first program for performing a process which is based on the data transmitted from first said transmission device and a second program for performing a process which is based on the data transmitted from second said transmission device, and

wherein the control information sending section sends first control information for setting a criterion corresponding to the first transmission device when the first program is executed by the processing device, and second control information for setting a criterion corresponding to the second transmission device when the second program is executed by the processing device, to the receiving device.

10. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the first control information is information for setting one specific said transmission device as the first transmission device, and

wherein the second control information is information for setting a specific plurality of said transmission devices as the second transmission devices.

11. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the first transmission device which is set by the first control information is of a type different from the type of the second transmission device which is set by the second control information.

12. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the receiving device is detachable from the processing device.

13. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the transmission device is separable into an inputting section for inputting operation data and a transmission section for generating transmission data from the operation data and wirelessly transmitting the transmission data.

14. An information processing system for receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmission device which wirelessly transmits operation information, comprising:

a receiving device for receiving transmitted data from any said transmission device and outputting the received data, and

a processing device for performing a process based on the data outputted from the receiving device,

wherein said transmitted data includes;

a system identification code, which is found in said transmission and said processing device, for identifying a type of processing device for which said transmission device is compatible,

a device identification code, which is found in said transmission device, for identifying the device type of said transmission device

a unique identification code, which is found in said transmission device, for uniquely identifying said transmission device from any other transmission device of a same type, and

operation data which corresponds to the operation information,

wherein the receiving device includes;

a receiving section for receiving transmitted data from any said transmission device,

a criterion setting section for setting therein a criterion relating at least to a system identification code and device identification code concerning processing of received data, and

a determination section for determining whether or not the data received by the receiving section complies with the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, and only outputting data which complies with the criterion to the processing device,

wherein the processing device includes;

a processing section for performing a process which is in accordance with the operation information based on the data outputted from the receiving device,

an identification code storage section for setting therein an identification code of the transmission device transmitted as data together with the operation information, the identification code being set in the identification code storage section based on a plurality of said operation information,

an identification code determination section for determining whether or not the identification code contained in the data outputted from the receiving device and information concerning the identification code which is set in the identification code storage section satisfy a predetermined relationship, and

a criterion changing section for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section,

wherein the criterion changing section further includes a control information sending section for sending to the receiving device control information for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section,

wherein the processing section performs a process which is in accordance with the operation information based on data which is among the data outputted from the receiving device and which is determined by the identification code determination section as satisfying the predetermined relationship, and

wherein when the receiving device and/or the processing device sets in the criterion a system identification code and a device identification code, but not a unique identification, the information processing system accepts as input transmitted data from any transmission device having the set system and device identification codes.

15. The information processing system according to claim 14, wherein the processing device further includes an operation procedure display section for indicating a procedure of a plurality of operations for deriving the plurality of operation information, and

wherein the identification code of the plurality of operation information which comply with the procedure of the plurality of operations indicated by the operation procedure display section is set in the identification code storage section.

16. An information processing system for receiving and processing data transmitted from a transmission device which wirelessly transmits operation information, comprising:

a receiving device for receiving transmitted data from any said transmission device and outputting the received data, and

a processing device for performing a process based on the data outputted from the receiving device,

wherein said transmitted data includes;

a system identification code, which is found in said transmission and said processing device, for identifying a type of processing device for which said transmission device is compatible,

a device identification code, which is found in said transmission device, for identifying the device type of said transmission device,

a unique identification code, which is found in said transmission device, for uniquely identifying said transmission device from any other transmission device of a same type, and

operation data which corresponds to the operation information,

wherein the receiving device includes;

a receiving section for receiving transmitted data from any said transmission device,

a criterion setting section for setting therein a criterion relating at least to a system identification code and device identification code concerning processing of received data, and

a determination section for determining whether or not the data received by the receiving section complies with the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, and only outputting data which complies with the criterion to the processing device,

wherein the processing device includes;

a processing section for performing a process which is in accordance with the operation information based on the data outputted from the receiving device,

an identification code storage section for setting therein an identification code of the transmission device transmitted as data together with the operation information, the identification code being set in the identification code storage section based on a plurality of said operation information, and

an operation procedure display section for indicating a procedure of a plurality of operations for deriving the plurality of operation information, wherein the identification code of the plurality of operation information which comply with the procedure of the plurality of operations indicated by the operation procedure display section is set in the identification code storage section,

wherein the receiving device and/or the processing device further includes a criterion changing section for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section,

wherein the criterion changing section further includes a control information sending section for sending to the receiving device control information for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section,

wherein the control information sending section sends the control information with the identification code contained therein to the receiving device,

wherein the determination section determines whether or not the identification code contained in the data received by the receiving section and information concerning the identification code contained in the control information satisfy a predetermined relationship, and outputs only data which complies with the relationship to the processing device, and

wherein when the receiving device and/or the processing device sets in the criterion a system identification code and a device identification code, but not a unique identification, the information processing system accepts as input transmitted data from any transmission device having the set system and device identification codes.

17. A game system for transmitting and receiving data via wireless communication, comprising:

a game controller for wirelessly transmitting information of a game operation inputted from a user as data,

a receiving unit for receiving transmitted data from any said game controller and outputting the received data, and

a game apparatus for performing a process based on the data outputted from the receiving unit,

wherein said transmitted data includes;

a system identification code, which is found in said game controller and the name apparatus, for identifying a type of game apparatus for which said name controller is compatible,

a device identification code, which is found in said game controller, for identifying the device type of said game controller,

a unique identification code, which is found in said game controller, for uniquely identifying said game controller from any other same controller of a same type, and

operation data which corresponds to said same operation,

wherein the game controller includes;

an operation section via which a game operation is inputted by a user, and

a transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting as data the information of the game operation inputted to the operation section,

wherein the receiving unit includes;

a receiving section for receiving transmitted data from any said transmission unit,

a criterion setting section for setting therein a criterion relating at least to a system identification code and device identification code concerning processing of received data, and

a determination section for determining whether or not the data received by the receiving section complies with the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, and only outputting data which complies with the criterion to the game apparatus,

wherein the game apparatus includes a processing section for performing a process which is in accordance with information of a game operation based on the data outputted from the receiving unit,

wherein the receiving unit and/or the game apparatus further includes a criterion changing section for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, the criterion changing section included in the game apparatus, further comprising a control information sending section for sending to the receiving unit control information for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, and

wherein when the receiving unit and/or the game apparatus device sets in the criterion a system identification code and a device identification code, but not a unique identification, the game system accepts as input transmitted data from any game controller having the set system and device identification codes.

18. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section is set in such a manner that only data which is in accordance with the game apparatus is outputted from the determination section.

19. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the game controller further includes a first identification code storage section for storing an identification code of itself,

wherein the transmission unit transmits information concerning the identification code as data, together with the information of the game operation,

wherein a criterion concerning processing of received data, with at least the information concerning the identification code being contained in the criterion, is set in the criterion setting section, and

wherein the determination section further determines whether or not the identification code contained in the data received by the receiving section and the information concerning the identification code which is set in the criterion setting section satisfy a predetermined relationship, and outputs only data which complies with the criterion to the game apparatus.

20. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the control information sending section sends the control information to the receiving unit to ensure that only data which is in accordance with a game to be performed is outputted from the determination section.

21. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the information concerning the identification code which is set in the criterion setting section is based on the identification code contained in the data which is first received by the receiving section.

22. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the receiving unit further includes a display section for indicating an interfered state in response to a result of the determination by the determination section.

23. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the receiving section receives via time-sharing the data transmitted from any plurality of said transmission units, and

wherein the control information sending section sends the control information to the receiving unit to ensure that the data received by the receiving section via time-sharing is outputted to the game apparatus.

24. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the receiving unit is detachable from the game apparatus.

25. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the game controller is separable into the operation section and the first identification code storage section, and the transmission unit.

26. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the game controller is separable into the operation section, and the transmission unit and the first identification code storage section.

27. A game system for transmitting and receiving data via wireless communication, comprising:

a game controller for wirelessly transmitting information of a game operation inputted from a user as data,

a receiving unit for receiving transmitted data from any said game controller and outputting the received data, and

a game apparatus for performing a process based on the data outputted from the receiving unit,

wherein said transmitted data includes;

a system identification code, which is found in said game controller and the game apparatus, for identifying a type of game apparatus for which said game controller is compatible,

a device identification code, which is found in said game controller, for identifying the device type of said game controller,

a unique identification code, which is found in said game controller, for uniquely identifying said game controller from any other game controller of a same type, and

operation data which corresponds to said game operation,

wherein the game controller includes;

an operation section via which a game operation is inputted by a user,

a transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting as data the information of the game operation inputted to the operation section, and

a first identification code storage section for storing an identification code of itself,

wherein the receiving unit includes;

a receiving section for receiving transmitted data from any said transmission unit,

a criterion setting section for setting therein a criterion relating at least to a system identification code and device identification code concerning processing of received data, and

a determination section for determining whether or not the data received by the receiving section complies with the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, and only outputting data which complies with the criterion to the game apparatus,

wherein the game apparatus includes;

a processing section for performing a process which is in accordance with the information of the game operation based on the data outputted from the receiving unit,

a second identification code storage section for setting the identification code therein, the identification code being set in the second identification code storage section based on a plurality of said data outputted from the receiving unit, and

an identification code determination section for determining whether or not the identification code contained in the data outputted from the receiving unit and information concerning the identification code which is set in the second identification code storage section satisfy a predetermined relationship,

wherein the receiving unit and/or the game apparatus further includes a criterion changing section for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section,

wherein the criterion changing section further includes a control information sending section for sending to the receiving unit control information for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section,

wherein the transmission unit transmits information concerning the identification code as data, together with the information of the game operation,

wherein the processing section performs a process which is in accordance with the information of the game operation based on data which is among the data outputted from the receiving unit and which is determined by the identification code determination section as satisfying the predetermined relationship, and

wherein when the receiving unit and/or the same apparatus device sets in the criterion a system identification code and a device identification code, but not a unique identification, the game system accepts as input transmitted data from any game controller having the set system and device identification codes.

28. The game system according to claim 27, wherein the game apparatus further includes an operation procedure display section for indicating a procedure of a plurality of operations for deriving the plurality of data, and

wherein the identification code of the plurality of data which comply with the procedure of the plurality of operations indicated by the operation procedure display section is set in the second identification code storage section.

29. A game system for transmitting and receiving data via wireless communication, comprising:

a game controller for wirelessly transmitting information of a game operation inputted from a user as data,

a receiving unit for receiving transmitted data from any said game controller and outputting the received data, and

a game apparatus for performing a process based on the data outputted from the receiving unit,

wherein said transmitted data includes;

a system identification code, which is found in said game controller and the game apparatus, for identifying a type of same apparatus for which said game controller is compatible,

a device identification code, which is found in said game controller, for identifying the device type of said game controller,

a unique identification code, which is found in said game controller, for uniquely identifying said game controller from any other same controller of a same type, and

operation data which corresponds to said same operation,

wherein the game controller includes;

an operation section via which a game operation is inputted by a user,

a transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting as data the information of the game operation inputted to the operation section, and

a first identification code storage section for storing an identification code of itself,

wherein the receiving unit includes;

a receiving section for receiving transmitted data from any said transmission unit,

a criterion setting section for setting therein a criterion relating at least to a system identification code and a device identification code concerning processing of received data, and

a determination section for determining whether or not the data received by the receiving section complies with the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section, and only outputting data which complies with the criterion to the game apparatus,

wherein the game apparatus includes;

a processing section for performing a process which is in accordance with the information of the game operation based on the data outputted from the receiving unit,

a second identification code storage section for setting the identification code therein, the identification code being set in the second identification code storage section based on a plurality of said data outputted from the receiving unit, and

an operation procedure display section for indicating a procedure of a plurality of operations for deriving the plurality of data, wherein the identification code of the plurality of data which comply with the procedure of the plurality of operations indicated by the operation procedure display section is set in the second identification code storage section,

wherein the receiving unit and/or the game apparatus further includes a criterion changing section for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section,

wherein the criterion changing section further includes a control information sending section for sending to the receiving unit control information for changing the criterion which is set in the criterion setting section,

wherein the transmission unit transmits information concerning the identification code as data, together with the information of the game operation,

wherein a criterion concerning processing of received data, at least containing information concerning the identification code, is set in the criterion setting section,

wherein the control information sending section, sends to the receiving unit the control information containing the identification code which is set in the second identification code storage section,

wherein the determination section further determines whether or not the identification code contained in the data received by the receiving section and the information concerning the identification code contained in the control information satisfy a predetermined relationship, and outputs only data which complies with the relationship to the game apparatus, and

wherein when the receiving unit and/or the game apparatus device sets in the criterion a system identification code and a device identification code, but not a unique identification, the game system accepts as input transmitted data from any game controller having the set system and device identification codes.