JP2000209217A - Entertainment system and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To deliver a reception state in a portable information terminal to a user through a tactile sense. SOLUTION: This entertainment system is provided with an entertainment device 14 that executes various programs, one operation device 12 or more that is connected to the entertainment device 14 to enter an operation request by a user for entering the entertainment device 14, and a portable information terminal 32 that can receive a radio signal and transmit/receive information at least to/from the entertainment device 14. The operation device 12 has a drive motor 130, that provides vibration to the user from external request. In this case, the entertainment device 14 is provided with a vibration generating instruction means 302, that outputs a vibration generating command VC to generate vibration with respect to the operation device 12 on the opportunity in the case of receiving the radio signal by the portable information terminal 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an entertainment device for executing various programs, one or more operating devices connected to the entertainment device for inputting an operation request from a user to the entertainment device, and receiving a radio signal. The present invention relates to an entertainment system including at least a portable information terminal that transmits and receives information to and from the entertainment device, and a recording medium that records a program to be downloaded to the entertainment device and the portable information terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an information device (entertainment system) such as an entertainment device including a video game machine, for example, a game content stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM is displayed on a screen of a television receiver. There are devices that operate the operation device to advance the game.

[0003] In the entertainment system, the entertainment device and the operating device are usually connected by a serial interface. When a clock is sent from the entertainment device, a key switch corresponding to a user operation from the operating device is synchronized with the clock. Information is sent.

Further, recently, a vibration generating means for giving a vibration to a user in response to a request from the outside (for example, an entertainment device) is provided in the operating device so that the device responds to the user's operation during a game, for example. As a result, a system for giving various vibrations to a user has been developed and has been put to practical use.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a portable information receiving apparatus capable of receiving various kinds of information broadcast by radio calling or radio broadcasting. As such a portable information receiving device, for example, there is a pager, which can receive an information distribution service such as weather information and various event information.

[0006]

The portable information receiving device such as a pager is an independent device, and has not been used by being connected to the above-mentioned entertainment device.

[0007] Some portable personal computers incorporate a portable information receiving device. A method of notifying that a radio signal has been received is usually to display a message on a screen. However, there is no known method of generating a received sound, and there is no method of transmitting the sound to a user through a sense of touch.

Further, for example, there is no computer device that uses a plurality of portable information receiving devices connected to one entertainment device and that can be used simultaneously by a plurality of users. When the information receiving device is connected, it does not have a function of selectively transmitting information to a user corresponding to the received content.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and allows a portable information terminal to be used by connecting it to an entertainment device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an entertainment system that can be transmitted through the Internet.

Another object of the present invention is to change the degree of vibration (intensity, frequency, type of vibration generating means) given to the user according to the content received by the portable information terminal. Another object of the present invention is to provide an entertainment system that allows the user to know the received content through tactile sense.

Another object of the present invention is to connect a plurality of portable information receiving apparatuses to one entertainment apparatus, for example, and to use the portable information terminals in accordance with the contents received by the portable information terminals. It is an object of the present invention to provide an entertainment system capable of selectively transmitting information to a person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a program capable of connecting a portable information terminal to an entertainment device for use, and transmitting a reception status of the portable information terminal to a user through tactile sensation. Is to provide a recording medium on which is recorded.

Another object of the present invention is to change the degree of vibration (intensity, frequency, type of vibration generating means) given to the user according to the content received by the portable information terminal. It is another object of the present invention to provide a recording medium on which a program that allows the user to know the received content through the sense of touch is recorded.

Another object of the present invention is to connect a plurality of portable information receiving apparatuses to one entertainment apparatus, for example, and to use the portable information terminal in accordance with the contents received by the portable information terminal. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium on which a program capable of selectively transmitting information to a user is recorded.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an entertainment device for executing various programs, one or more operating devices connected to the entertainment device, and for inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment device, A portable information terminal capable of receiving signals and transmitting / receiving information to / from the entertainment device at least; and a vibration generating means for providing vibration to the user in response to an external request in the operating device. And
The entertainment device, upon receiving the wireless signal in the portable information terminal, triggered by the reception,
Vibration generation instructing means for outputting an instruction for generating vibration to the operating device is provided.

Thus, the portable information terminal can be used by connecting to the entertainment apparatus, and the reception status at the portable information terminal can be transmitted to the user through the sense of touch.

As a result, it becomes possible for a certain user to receive specific information or arbitrary information through a radio signal while watching the screen of a television receiver, for example, and the portable information terminal receives the specific information. Since the operating device sometimes vibrates, the user can recognize that specific information or arbitrary information has been received by sensing the vibration.

Further, when the user is playing, for example, a fighting game with a distant friend using the Internet, for example, the result of the operation by the user is transmitted with vibrations, and the game is full of a sense of reality. Deployment can be possible.

[0019] In the above-mentioned configuration, a monitoring means for monitoring a reception status at the portable information terminal is incorporated in the entertainment apparatus, and the vibration generation instructing means triggers the detection of the reception by the monitoring means. An instruction to generate vibration may be output to the operation device.

Further, the portable information terminal is provided with an interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal in response to the reception of the radio signal, and the vibration generation instructing means is provided in response to the input of the interrupt signal. An instruction to generate vibration may be output to the operation device.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, a selection means for selecting one or more operation devices according to the content of the radio signal received by the portable information terminal among the plurality of operation devices connected to the entertainment device. The vibration generation instructing means may be provided in an entertainment apparatus, and the vibration generation instruction means may output an instruction to generate vibration to the selected operation device.

In this case, of the plurality of operating devices, the operating device corresponding to the content received by the portable information terminal vibrates. Therefore, for example, when each user is performing a search for various information or playing a battle game using a plurality of operation devices connected to one entertainment device, for example, a radio signal is received by the portable information terminal. This is transmitted as vibration to the user corresponding to the content.

When a plurality of portable information terminals and a plurality of operation devices are connected to the entertainment device, the vibration generation instructing means corresponds to the operation device corresponding to the portable information terminal that has received the radio signal. Against
An instruction to generate vibration may be output.

Thus, for example, a plurality of portable information receiving apparatuses can be connected to one entertainment apparatus and used, and information can be received by a user corresponding to the content received by these portable information terminals. You can be notified individually of what has been done.

In this case, the vibration generation instructing means may output an instruction for generating vibration to the operating device physically closest to the portable information terminal that has received the radio signal. .

Further, the vibration generation instructing means may output an instruction for generating vibration to an operation device logically corresponding to the portable information terminal that has received the radio signal.

[0027] The instruction for generating the vibration output from the vibration generation instructing means may include a degree of vibration according to the content received by the portable information terminal.

Thus, the degree of vibration (intensity, frequency, type of vibration generating means) given to the user can be changed according to the content received by the portable information terminal,
The user can easily know the received content through the sense of touch.

Next, a recording medium according to the present invention comprises: an entertainment device for executing various programs; one or more operating devices connected to the entertainment device for inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment device; A portable information terminal capable of receiving a radio signal and transmitting / receiving information to / from at least the entertainment device, wherein a vibration generating means for applying vibration to the user in response to an external request in the operating device; A program used in an entertainment system having the portable information terminal, when receiving the wireless signal, outputting an instruction for generating vibration to the operation device in response to the reception of the wireless signal. A program having a vibration generation instruction step is stored.

By using this recording medium, the portable information terminal can be used by connecting it to the entertainment device, and the reception status at the portable information terminal can be transmitted to the user through the sense of touch.

[0031] Then, a monitoring step of monitoring the reception status of the portable information terminal is stored in a recording medium, and in the vibration generation instruction step, the reception of the detection in the monitoring step triggers the operation device to An instruction to generate vibration may be output.

[0032] An interrupt signal generating step of generating an interrupt signal in response to the reception of the radio signal is stored in a recording medium, the interrupt signal generating step being used in the portable information terminal. In the step, an instruction to generate vibration may be output to the operating device in response to the input of the interrupt signal.

[0033] A selection step of selecting one or more operation devices according to the content of the radio signal received by the portable information terminal among the plurality of operation devices connected to the entertainment device on a recording medium is provided. It may be stored, and in the vibration generation instruction step, an instruction for generating vibration is output to the selected operation device.

Further, when a plurality of portable information terminals and a plurality of operation devices are connected to the entertainment device, in the vibration generation instruction step, the operation device corresponding to the portable information terminal that has received the radio signal is provided. In response, an instruction to generate vibration may be output.

[0035] In the vibration generation instruction step, an instruction for generating vibration may be output to an operating device physically closest to the portable information terminal that has received the radio signal.

In the vibration generation instruction step, an instruction for generating vibration may be output to an operation device logically corresponding to the portable information terminal that has received the radio signal.

[0037] The instruction for generating the vibration output from the vibration generation instruction step may include a degree of vibration according to the content received by the portable information terminal.

[0038]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an entertainment system according to the present invention (hereinafter, simply referred to as an entertainment system according to the embodiment) will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the entertainment system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an entertainment device 14 to which an operation device 12 is detachably mounted.

The entertainment device 14 is for reading a program recorded on, for example, an optical disk or the like, and executing, for example, a game in response to an instruction from a user (for example, a game player or the like). The execution of the game mainly refers to controlling the progress of the game and the display and sound.

The main body 1 of the entertainment device 14
Reference numeral 6 denotes a disk mounting unit 18 which is housed in a substantially rectangular casing and has a central portion on which an optical disk such as a CD-ROM as a recording medium for supplying an application program such as a video game is mounted. A reset switch 20 for arbitrarily resetting a currently running program, a power switch 22, a disk operation switch 24 for operating the mounting of the optical disk, and
It is provided with two slot portions 26A and 26B.

Note that the recording medium for supplying the application program is not limited to the optical disk, and the application program may be supplied via a communication line.

Two operating devices 12 can be connected to the slots 26A and 26B, so that two users can play a battle game or the like. Also, this slot 2
A conventionally used memory card or portable information terminal 32 (see FIG. 4) can be inserted into 6A and 26B. In FIG. 1, two slots 26A, 2
Although the structure provided with 6B is illustrated, the number is not limited to two systems.

The operating device 12 includes a first operating unit 4 and a second operating unit 4.
0, 42, third and fourth operation units 44, 46, a start button 48, and a selection button 50, and a vibration generator is provided therein. This operating device 12
Will be described in detail later.

FIG. 2 shows the entertainment device 14.
A slot portion 26A provided on the front surface of the main body 16 of
26B is shown.

In this embodiment, the slot portions 26A,
6B are formed in two stages, and the upper stage is provided with memory card insertion portions 60A and 60B into which the above-mentioned memory card or portable information terminal 32 is inserted. Controller connection part (jack) to which connection terminal part 62 (connector; see FIG. 1) is connected
64A and 64B are provided.

The insertion holes (slots) of the memory card insertion portions 60A and 60B are formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal direction, and the lower end corners are more rounded than the upper end corners. Thus, the memory card and the portable information terminal 32 are not inserted in the wrong direction. Further, the memory card insertion sections 60A and 60B are provided with shutters for protecting connection terminals for obtaining electrical connection provided therein.

On the other hand, controller connection sections 64A and 64B
The connection terminals 62 of the operating device 12 are connected in the wrong direction by making the lower end corners of the insertion hole having a rectangular shape longer in the lateral direction more rounded than the upper end corners. The structure is such that the shape of the insertion hole differs from that of the memory card insertion portions 60A and 60B so that the memory card or the portable information terminal 32 is not erroneously inserted.

Referring to FIG. 3, the memory card insertion portion 60A of the slot 26A on the front of the entertainment device 14
This shows a state where the portable information terminal 32 is inserted.

The portable information terminal 32 can be used as a unique memory card corresponding to a plurality of operating devices 12 connected. For example, when two users (game players) play a game, they have a conventional function of recording their own game results and the like on the two portable information terminals 32, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the portable information terminal 32 has a housing 70, and has one or a plurality of direction buttons 72 for inputting an event and performing various selections. And an operation unit 76 having a determination button 74, and a display unit 7 comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like.
8 and a window 80 for performing wireless communication using infrared rays, an antenna, or the like.

The housing 70 includes an upper shell 70a and a lower shell 70b, and accommodates a substrate 82 on which a memory element and the like are mounted, as shown in FIG. This housing 7
Reference numeral 0 denotes a connector which can be inserted into the slots 26A and 26B of the main body 16 of the entertainment apparatus 14, and has a rectangular window formed on one side surface of one end thereof.
4 are provided.

The window 80 is provided at the other end of the housing 70 formed in a substantially semicircular shape. Display section 78
Occupies a substantially half area of the upper surface of the housing 70 and is located near the window 80.

The operation section 76 occupies a substantially half area of the upper surface of the housing 70 and forms a window 80
Is provided on a portion opposite to the above. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation unit 76 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, is rotatably supported by the housing 70, and has one or a plurality of direction buttons 72 and a determination button 74. It comprises switch pressing portions 88 and 90 provided at positions on the housing 70 that are opened and closed by the lid member 86.

The direction button 72 and the determination button 74 are provided through the cover member 86 from the upper surface side to the lower surface side of the cover member 86. And these direction buttons 7
2 and the determination button 74 can be moved in the direction of protruding and retracting with respect to the upper surface of the lid member 86 and supported by the lid member 86.

The switch pressing portions 88 and 90 have a pressing element which is movable in the direction of protruding and retracting with respect to the upper surface of the housing 70 and supported by the housing 70. The pressing element presses a pressing switch, such as a diaphragm switch, disposed on the substrate 82 in the housing 70 by being pressed from above.

The switch pressing portions 88 and 90 are provided at positions corresponding to the positions of the direction button 72 and the determination button 74 when the cover member 86 is closed.
That is, in a state where the lid member 86 is closed, when the direction button 72 and the determination button 74 are pressed from the upper side in a direction to be immersed in the upper surface portion of the lid member 86,
The direction button 72 and the determination button 74 press the corresponding pressing switches in the housing 70 via the pressing members of the corresponding switch pressing portions 88, 90.

As shown in FIG. 7, power supply and signal terminals 92 are disposed on the board 82 and face the windows of the connector section 84.

The shape and dimensions of the connector portion 84 are as follows.
It is common to a normal memory card used for the entertainment device 14.

Next, the operation device 12 is shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the operating device 12 has an operating device main body 104 in which an upper half 100 and a lower half 102 abut against each other and are connected using fixing means such as screws.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, from one side of each end of the operating device main body 104, when the operating device 12 is connected to the entertainment device 14, for example, when searching for information or executing a game. , The first gripper 106 and the second gripper 1 gripped so as to be included by the left and right palms
08 protrudes.

The first and second grips 106 and 1
As shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, the projections 08 are separated from each other toward the distal end and protrude downward from the operation device main body 104.

First and second grips 106 and 108
Fig. 9 to Fig. 9
As shown in FIG. 11, it is formed so as to be tapered from the connecting portion side to the operating device main body 104 toward the distal end side, the peripheral surface forms an arc surface, and the distal end side is formed in an arc shape. ing.

FIG. 8 shows one end of the operating device main body 104.
As shown in FIG. 9, four first to fourth pressing operators 110 a to 110 projecting to the upper surface side of the operating device main body 104.
The first operation unit 40 in which 0d are arranged to be orthogonal to each other is provided.

The first operation section 40 is provided with switch elements as signal input elements corresponding to the first to fourth pressing operators 110a to 110d, respectively. The first operation unit 40 functions as, for example, a direction instruction control unit that controls movement of the display character, and includes the first to fourth pressing operators 110.
a to 110d are selectively pressed, and the switch elements corresponding to the pressed operators 110a to 110d are turned on / off, whereby an array of the pressed operators 110a to 110d whose displayed characters on the screen are pressed. Will move in that direction.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, four first to fourth pressing operators 112 a to 112 protruding from the operating device main body 104 are provided on the other end side of the operating device main body 104.
A second operation unit 42 in which 2d are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other
Are arranged.

The first to fourth pressing operators 112a to 112a
112d is formed as an independent member, and a switch element as a signal input element is provided corresponding to each of the pressing operators 112a to 112d.

The second operation unit 42 is, for example,
By turning on the switches corresponding to the pressing operators 112a to 112d,
It is used as a function setting execution unit that sets the functions of the display characters assigned to a to 112d or executes the functions of the display characters.

The first and second operation device
The gripping portions 106 and 108 are located at the left and right end portions on the front side facing the back side, which is one side surface protruding, and the third
And fourth operation units 44 and 46 are provided. Third
As shown in FIG. 11, the first and second operating members 44 and 46 respectively include first and second pressing operators 114 a and 114
4b and 116a, 116b.

Each of these pressing operators 114a and 114b
Also, switch elements are provided on 116a and 116b corresponding to the respective pressing operators 114a and 114b and 116a and 116b.

The third and fourth operating units 44 and 46 are, for example, first and second pressing operators 114a and 114b.
And turning on the switches corresponding to 116a and 116b, for example, to set the functions of the display characters assigned to the respective pressing operators 114a and 114b and 116a and 116b, or to execute the functions of the display characters Used as an execution unit.

Further, the operation device 12 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the first and second grips 106 and 108
The fifth and sixth operating portions 118 are located at opposing positions of the corner portion on the connecting portion side to the operating device main body 104, which is the base end side.
And 120 are provided.

The fifth and sixth operation units 118 and 1
Reference numeral 20 includes a rotary operation element 122 rotatable in a 360 ° direction about an operation axis, and a signal input element such as a variable resistance element operated by the rotation operation element 122. That is, the rotary operation element 122 is attached to the distal end side of the operation shaft attached so as to return to the neutral position by the urging member, and is rotated 360 degrees around the rotation fulcrum of the operation shaft.

The fifth and sixth operation units 118 and 1
20 rotates the rotary operator 122 to
For example, as an operation unit capable of inputting a command signal that enables a display character to be moved while rotating or moving while changing the speed, and further, to perform an analog movement such as changing a form. Used.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a start button for instructing the start of a game, for example, is provided between the first operation unit 40 and the second operation unit 42 on the upper surface side of the operation device main body 104. 48 and a selection button 50 for selecting, for example, the difficulty of the game when starting the game, are provided in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the fifth and sixth operating portions 120 are located between the fifth operating portion 118 and the sixth operating portion 120 on the upper surface side of the operating device main body 104. Operation unit 1
A mode selection switch 124 for selecting operation modes 18 and 120, and fifth and sixth operation units 118 and 120
A display unit 126 for displaying the state of the operation mode is provided. The display unit 126 is configured by a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode.

The switching operation of the mode selection switch 124 causes, for example, the fifth and sixth operation units 11 to operate.
An operation mode that allows input of command signals from the control units 8 and 120 and an operation mode that prohibits input of command signals from the fifth and sixth operation units 118 and 120 are selected.

By switching the mode selection switch 124, command signals can be further input from the fifth and sixth operation units 118 and 120.
The first to fourth pressing operators 112a to 112c of the second operating unit 42
An operation mode in which the function of 112d and the functions of the first and second pressing operators 114a and 114b and 116a and 116b of the third and fourth operating units 44 and 46 are switched is selected. In accordance with the state of these operation modes, the display unit 126 blinks, and the display light is switched.

As described above, the operating device 12 having the pair of first and second grips 106 and 108 protruding from the operating device main body 104, as shown in FIG.
Gripping parts 106 and 108 of both hands so as to be wrapped in the palms of both hands, so that it is not necessary to support the operating device main body 104 with fingers, and a state in which up to ten fingers, or at least six fingers, of both hands can be freely moved. Can be gripped.

As shown in FIG. 12, for example, when the first and second grips 106 and 108 are gripped so as to be wrapped in the palms of both hands, the thumbs Rf1 and Lf
1 on the rotary operators 122 of the fifth and sixth operating units 118 and 120, on the first to fourth pressing operators 110a to 110d of the first operating unit 40, and the second operating unit 42, respectively.
Are extended on the first to fourth pressing operators 112a to 112d.
a to 110d and 112a to 112d can be selectively pressed.

In particular, the fifth and sixth operation units 118 and 1
The first and second grips 106 and 10 are gripped so as to be wrapped by the palms of both hands.
8 are disposed opposite to each other on the base end side, which is the connection portion side to the operating device main body 104, so that when the first and second grip portions 106 and 108 are gripped by the left and right hands, the left and right It is positioned closest to the thumbs Rf1 and Lf1 of the hand. Therefore, each of the rotary operators 122 can be easily rotated by the thumbs Rf1 and Lf1 of the left and right hands.

The first and second grips 106 and 1
12, the forefinger Rf2 and Lf2 and the middle finger Rf3 and Lf3 of the left and right hands are held at the first and fourth operation units 44 and 46 when the user grips the left and right hands, as shown in FIG. The second pressing operators 114a and 114b and 116a and 116b can be extended to positions where the pressing operation can be selectively performed.

As shown in FIG. 13, the operating device 12 is provided with a vibration applying mechanism 128 for applying vibration to the user so that the game can be executed with a more realistic feeling. .

As shown in FIG. 13, the vibration imparting mechanism 128 is disposed on the base end side of the first and second grip portions 106 and 108 which are gripped by the fingers when gripping the operating device 12. I have.

As shown in FIG. 14, the vibration applying mechanism 128 includes a drive motor 130 driven by a vibration generation command supplied from the entertainment device 14.
And an eccentric member 134 attached to the drive shaft 132 of the drive motor 130.

The eccentric member 134 is formed of a heavy metal member, is eccentrically attached to a fitting hole 136 serving as a rotation center fitted to the drive shaft 132, and is configured as a semicircular weight 134a. I have.

As shown in FIG. 15, the drive motor 130 having the eccentric member 134 attached to the drive shaft 132 has a fitting recess formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape formed on the inner side of the first grip 106, for example. The motor housing 140 is fitted to the 138 and attached.

The vibration imparting mechanism 128 thus configured
When the drive motor 130 is driven and the eccentric member 134 is rotated, the drive motor 130 is vibrated, and the vibration is transmitted to the first grip portion 106 via the peripheral wall 138a forming the fitting recess 138. Then, the vibration is transmitted to the fingers holding the holding portion 106.

Here, the vibration applying mechanisms 128 disposed on the first and second gripping portions 106 and 108 are configured so that the vibration applying states are different from each other.
For example, the respective vibration imparting mechanisms 128 vary the size of the drive motor 130, and when driven at a constant drive voltage, vary the rotational speed, thereby causing the rotational speed of the eccentric member 134 to vary, thereby generating The frequency of the vibrating vibration is made different.

As described above, in order to drive the drive motor 130 to vibrate the entire operation device 12, it is necessary that the operation device 12 and the entertainment device 14 have a bidirectional communication function. However, this function will be described later.

Next, circuit configurations of the portable information terminal 32, the entertainment device 14, and the operation device 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 16, the portable information terminal 32 comprises a hardware layer 150 for processing received data received by an antenna 160 (see FIG. 17), and the like.
The wireless communication driver 15 constituting the software layer 152 for performing communication processing in the hardware layer 150
4, a serial communication driver 156 and a communication application 158.

Hardware layer 15 of portable information terminal 32
0, as shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 160, the wireless communication block 162, the CPU 164, the work memory 1
66, input block 168, serial communication block 17
0, a nonvolatile memory 172, a display block 174, and other functional blocks 176. In the hardware layer 150, these components are connected to the bus 17
8 is connected.

The radio communication block 162 transmits data transmitted as radio signals such as microwaves to the antenna 1.
60 to receive. This wireless communication block 162
Wireless communication driver 15 including the program shown in FIG.
4 controls data reception.

[0095] The wireless communication block 162 has a memory 180 as storage means for temporarily storing wireless signals. This allows the portable information terminal 32 to selectively receive the data based on the information received by the wireless communication block 162 and added to the temporarily stored data. Specifically, at the time of selective reception, the reception data temporarily stored in the wireless communication block 162 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 172.

The work memory 166 is storage means used as a work area for various data. The input block 168 has a function as an input operation unit. For example, the input block 168 allows the user to input various information.

The nonvolatile memory 172 is storage means for storing various data. This nonvolatile memory 172
For example, received data received via the antenna 160 and data from the entertainment device 14 transmitted via the serial communication block 170 are stored in the storage unit.

The display block 174 has a function as a display section for various information. The display block 174 displays, for example, various character information and image information on a liquid crystal panel.

The serial communication block 170 has a function of performing serial communication with an external device.
The serial communication block 170 can be electrically connected to, for example, the serial communication block 214 of the entertainment device 14, thereby performing data communication processing with the entertainment device 14. The communication of the serial communication block 170 is controlled by a serial communication driver 156.

The other functional blocks 176 are constituted by blocks other than the above-described blocks, and include, for example, a power supply block and the like.

The CPU 164 has a function of controlling each block as described above. For example, the CPU 164 controls each block according to various programs such as the communication application 158 constituting the software layer 152 described above. I do.

As shown in FIG. 16, the operating device 12 includes a hardware layer 182, application software 186 constituting a software layer 184 for controlling and communicating with the hardware layer 182, and the application software 186. Serial communication driver 188 included in 186
Consists of

The hardware layer 182 of the operating device 12
As shown in FIG. 18, the serial communication block 190, C
PU 192, program memory 194, RAM 1 for operation
96, a digital input block 198, an analog input block 200, and a drive motor 130. And
In the hardware layer 182 of the operation device 12, these components are connected to the bus 202.

The digital input block 198 includes, for example, each of the pressing operators 110a to 110d and 112a to 112d constituting the first operating unit 40 and the second operating unit 42.
The analog input block 200 has a function as an input operation unit for the
22 is configured to have a function as an input operation unit. For example, the digital input block 198 and the analog input block 200 allow the user to input various information.

The serial communication block 190 has a function of performing serial communication with an external device.
The serial communication block 190 can be electrically connected to, for example, the serial communication block 214 of the entertainment device 14, thereby performing data communication processing with the entertainment device 14. The communication of the serial communication block 190 is controlled by a serial communication driver 188.

As shown in FIG. 16, the entertainment apparatus 14 includes a hardware layer 204, application software 208 constituting a software layer 206 for performing control, communication, image processing and the like of the hardware layer 204; It comprises serial communication drivers 210 and 212 included in the application software 208.

As shown in FIG. 19, the hardware layer 204 of the entertainment apparatus 14 includes a serial communication block 214, a CPU 216, and an input block 21.
8, large capacity media block 220, main memory 22
2, a graphic processor 224 and other functional blocks 226. These components are connected to a bus 228 in the hardware layer 204 of the entertainment apparatus 14.

The input block 218 has a function as an input operation unit. For example, the input block 218 allows the user to input various information.

The main memory 222 is storage means for storing various data. For example, this main memory 2
22 stores application software 208 constituting the software layer 206. Furthermore, the main memory 222 has a serial communication block 214
The data transmitted from the portable information terminal 32 and the operation device 12 via the PC is stored.

The graphic processor 224 is configured as a part for performing image processing. That is, for example, the graphic processor 224 performs graphic processing of an image displayed on the display unit. For example, so-called polygon graphics processing is performed.

The large-capacity media block 220 is a section for performing a reading process of various data recorded on a large-capacity medium. For example, a large-capacity medium includes a so-called CD-ROM.

The serial communication block 214 has a function of performing serial communication with an external device.
This serial communication block 214 is used for the portable information terminal 3.
2 and the serial communication block 190 of the operating device 12, whereby the entertainment device 14 can be connected to the portable information terminal 32 and to the operating device 12. Data communication can be performed. The communication of the serial communication block 214 is controlled by serial communication drivers 210 and 212 included in the application software 208 and the like.

The other functional blocks 226 are constituted by blocks other than the above-described blocks, and include, for example, a power supply block, a memory card as a recording medium, a connection block for connection to the portable information terminal 32, and the like. Have been.

The CPU 216 has a function of controlling each block as described above. For example, the CPU 216 controls each block in accordance with various programs such as the application software 208 constituting the software layer 206 described above. .

On the other hand, the two-way communication function between the entertainment device 14 and the operation device 12 is as shown in FIG.
The connection terminal 62 for performing bidirectional serial communication with the operation device 12 can be connected to the entertainment device 14.

The configuration for performing the bidirectional communication function on the operation device 12 side includes a serial I / O interface SIO for performing serial communication with the entertainment device 14 and a parallel I / O interface PIO for inputting operation data from a plurality of operation buttons. , A CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, a one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer), and a motor driver 230 that rotationally drives a driving motor 130 of the vibration applying mechanism 128. It is driven to rotate by the supply voltage and current.

The entertainment device 14 has a structure in which a serial I / O interface SIO for performing serial communication between the operation devices 12 is provided. When the connection terminal portion 62 of the operation device 12 is connected, the connection terminal portion 6
2 is connected to the serial I / O interface SIO on the operation device 12 side, so that bidirectional communication means, that is, bidirectional serial communication can be performed. Other detailed configurations of the entertainment device 14 are omitted.

Signal lines and control lines for performing bidirectional serial communication are provided from the entertainment device 14 to the operation device 12.
Data transmission signal line TXD (Tr
ansmit X 'for Data), a data transmission signal line RXD (Received X' for Data) for transmitting data from the operating device 12 to the entertainment device 14, and data from each data transmission signal line TXD, RXD. A signal line SCK (Serial Clock) for a serial synchronous clock to be extracted,
A control line DTR (Data Terminal Ready) for establishing and interrupting communication with the operating device 12 on the terminal side.
And a control line DSR (Data Set Ready) for flow control for transferring a large amount of data.

As shown in FIG. 20, a cable composed of a signal line and a control line for performing bidirectional serial communication was directly taken out of a power source of the entertainment apparatus 14 in addition to the signal line and the control line. Power cable 23
The power cable 232 is connected to the motor driver 230 of the operation device 12 and supplies power for rotating the drive motor 130.

In the bidirectional serial communication procedure having such a configuration, for example, the entertainment device 14 communicates with the operating device 12 and the first to fourth operating units 40, 4
In order to capture operation data (button information) of the operation buttons 2, 44 and 46, first, the entertainment device 14 outputs selection data to the control line DTR. As a result, the operating device 12 confirms that it has been selected by the control line DTR, and waits for reception of the subsequent signal line TXD. Subsequently, the entertainment device 14 sends an identification code indicating the operation device 12 to the data transmission signal line TXD. Thereby, the operating device 12 receives this identification code from the signal line TXD.

After the operation device 12 recognizes the identification code, the communication with the entertainment device 14 is started thereafter. That is, control data and the like are transmitted from the entertainment device 14 to the operation device 12 via the data transmission signal line TXD, and conversely, operation data and the like operated by the operation buttons are transmitted from the operation device 12 for the data transmission. It is transmitted to the entertainment device 14 via the signal line RXD. In this way, bidirectional serial communication is performed between the entertainment device 14 and the operation device 12,
This communication is performed by the entertainment device 14 via the control line DTR.
The process is terminated by outputting the selection stop data through.

With the bidirectional serial communication function as described above, the operation data of the operation buttons mainly from the operation device 12 can be transmitted to the entertainment device 14 and the entertainment device 1 can be transmitted.
From the fourth side, a vibration generation command for rotating the drive motor 130 of the vibration applying mechanism 128 can be sent to the operation device 12 via the data transmission signal line TXD.

The vibration generation command for rotating the drive motor 130 is set in advance by a CD-ROM set in the entertainment device 14,
For example, according to the action target of the user playing the game,
Feedback from the entertainment device 14 to the operating device 12 itself by vibration transmission for a certain time is performed.

Next, the characteristic functions of the entertainment system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

This function is a function of, when the portable information terminal 32 receives the radio signal, outputting an instruction for generating vibration to the operation device 12 in response to the reception. .

As software for realizing this function, as shown in FIG. 21, for example, a wireless communication unit 300 for receiving a wireless signal, which is incorporated in a portable information terminal 32, and an entertainment device 14, A vibration generation instruction unit 302 that is incorporated and outputs a command (vibration generation command) for generating vibration to the operation device 12, and is driven by the vibration generation command from the entertainment device 14 that is incorporated in the operation device 12. Vibration generating means 304 for driving the motor 130.

The wireless communication means 300 is, for example, a specific CD-RO reproduced in advance by the entertainment device 14.
M is downloaded from the entertainment device 14 to the work memory 166 of the portable information terminal 32 through a predetermined process, so that the CP of the portable information terminal 32 is
It is designed to operate on U164.

The vibration generation instructing means 302 is, for example, a specific CD-ROM reproduced by the entertainment device 14 in advance.
The entertainment device 1 through a predetermined process from the ROM
4 is operated on the CPU 216 of the entertainment apparatus 14 by being downloaded to the main memory 222.

The vibration generating means 304 is transferred from, for example, the program memory 194 of the operating device 12 to the operation RAM 196, and thereby the CPU 19 of the operating device 12 is operated.
2 is operated.

Then, the wireless communication means 300
As shown in FIG. 2, a reception determining unit 310 that determines whether or not there is received data in the wireless communication block 162, and transfers the received data to the nonvolatile memory 172 when the wireless communication block 162 has received data. A data transfer unit 312; a transfer request determining unit 314 for determining whether there is a data transfer request from the entertainment device 14 via the serial communication block 170; Serial communication block 21 of entertainment device 14
Communication path establishing means 3 for starting communication with the communication path 4 and establishing a communication path
16, a data transmission unit 318 for transmitting data in the nonvolatile memory 172 to the entertainment device 14 through the established communication path, and an end determination unit 320 for determining whether or not the processing in the portable information terminal 32 has been completed. And is configured.

For example, as shown in FIG. 23A, the received data substantially includes only a character string portion (first case), or as shown in FIG. 23B, substantially includes a receiver definition portion and a character In the case where the column part is included (the second case), FIG.
As shown in FIG. 23C, when a sender definition part, a receiver definition part, and a character string part are substantially included (third case), or as shown in FIG. There is a case including a definition part, a vibration generation device definition part, a vibration intensity definition part, a vibration frequency definition part, and a character string part (a fourth case).

The portable information terminal 32, the entertainment device 14, and the operation device 12 may be used in the following manner.
As shown in FIG. 24, one entertainment device 1
4, one portable information terminal 32 and one operating device 12 are connected to each other, and as shown in FIG. 25, one entertainment device 14 includes one portable information terminal 32 and a plurality of operating devices. There is a second mode of use for connecting T.12.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, a third usage mode in which a plurality of portable information terminals 32 and a plurality of operation devices 12 are connected to one entertainment device 14, and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, there is a fourth usage pattern in which a plurality of portable information terminals 32 and a plurality of operation devices 12 are connected to one entertainment device 14 using a connection hub 322.

As shown in FIG. 28, the vibration generation instructing means 302 of the entertainment apparatus 14 is used when the received data is in the second to fourth cases (see FIGS. 23B to 23D).
Next, the operation device 12 connected to the entertainment device 14 is searched, and for example, a correspondence table (user information table: see FIG. 29) between the identification code corresponding to each operation device 12 and the connected port number is searched. The user setting processing means 330 to be created and the portable information terminal 32 connected to the entertainment apparatus 14 are searched in the case of the third or fourth mode of use (see FIGS. 26 and 27).
A terminal setting processing unit 332 for creating a table (terminal information table: see FIG. 30) in which port numbers to which the portable information terminals 32 are connected is arranged.

The vibration generation instructing means 302 requests the operation device 12 to transfer operation data or the vibration generation command V via the serial communication block 214.
C requesting transmission of C or a request for transferring received data to the portable information terminal 32; and a serial communication block 190 of the operating device 12 or a communication terminal of the portable information terminal 32 via the serial communication block 214. Communication path establishing means 336 for starting communication with the serial communication block 170 to establish a communication path; and operating data from the operating device 12 or the portable information terminal 3 via the established communication path.
A data receiving means 338 for receiving the data received from the main memory 222 and storing the data in the main memory 222; an application execution processing means 340 for executing the running application in accordance with the received operation data;
2 and a data analysis processing unit 344 that analyzes the received data to create a vibration generation command VC.
A command transmission unit 346 for transmitting the vibration generation command VC to the operation device 12 via the serial communication block 214; and a process completion determination unit 348 for determining whether transfer request processing to the operation device 12 or the portable information terminal 32 is completed.
And an end determination unit 350 for determining whether or not the processing in the entertainment apparatus 14 has been completed.

Of these various means, the communication request means 3
The communication path establishing unit 336, the data receiving unit 338, and the reception determining unit 342 function as a monitoring unit 352 that monitors the reception status of the portable information terminal 32.

As shown in FIG. 31, the vibration generating means 304 of the operating device 12 includes a transfer request determining means 360 for determining whether there is a data transfer request from the entertainment device 14 via the serial communication block 190, When there is a transfer request, the serial communication block 190
A communication path establishing means 362 for starting communication with the serial communication block 214 of the entertainment apparatus 14 via a communication path to establish a communication path, a transmission / reception determining means 364 for determining whether the request is a data transmission request or a reception request, and Digital input block 198 and analog input block 200
Operation data transmission means 366 for transmitting operation data from
Command receiving means 3 for receiving a vibration generation command VC from the entertainment device 14 through the established communication path.
68, the received vibration generation command VC is analyzed, and the analysis result is output to the motor driver 230, so that the drive motor 130 corresponding to the vibration generation command VC is driven by the vibration intensity command instructed by the vibration generation command VC. It is configured to include a command analysis unit 370 that vibrates at a frequency and an end determination unit 372 that determines whether or not the processing in the operation device 12 has ended.

Next, each processing operation in the wireless communication means 300, the vibration generation instructing means 302 and the vibration generation means 304 will be described. Before that, the processing in the wireless communication block 162 in the portable information terminal 32 will be described. 32 and 33
This will be briefly described based on the above.

First, the received data is in the first case (FIG. 23).
A), in step S1 of FIG. 32, it is determined whether or not reception has been performed through the antenna 160. If reception has been performed, the process proceeds to step S2, where the received data is stored in the memory. 180 in a predetermined area.
Thereafter, in step S3, it is determined whether or not there is a request for terminating the process in the portable information terminal 32. If there is no end request, the process returns to step S1,
The presence or absence of reception is determined again, and if there is an end request, the processing in the wireless communication block 162 ends.

On the other hand, when the received data is in the second to fourth cases (see FIGS. 23B to 23D), it is determined in step S101 in FIG. 33 whether or not reception through the antenna 160 has been performed. , When the reception is performed, the process proceeds to step S102, and among the reception data,
For example, an identification code of the receiver defined in the receiver definition unit is read.

Next, in step S103, it is determined whether or not the recipient is the recipient. This determination is made, for example, based on whether or not the identification code registered in the memory 180 in advance matches the identification code in the read-out recipient definition unit. Proceeding to the next step S104, the received data is stored in the memory 1
80 in a predetermined area.

At the stage when the processing in step S104 is completed, or when it is determined in step S103 that the receiver is not the relevant recipient, the process proceeds to the next step S105, where a request for ending the processing in the portable information terminal 32 is issued. Is determined. If there is no termination request,
Returning to step S101, the presence or absence of reception is determined again, and if there is an end request, the processing in the wireless communication block 162 ends.

Therefore, the received data is in the first case (FIG. 2).
3A), the received data is transmitted to the portable information terminal 32.
Wireless communication block 1 as received at
62, the received data is stored in the second
To the fourth case (see FIGS. 23B to 23D),
The received data is stored in the memory 180 of the wireless communication block 162 of the portable information terminal 32 corresponding to the contents of the recipient definition unit.

That is, in the first case (see FIG. 23A), in the first to fourth modes of use shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, all portable information terminals 32 store received data in memory 180. That is, in the second to fourth cases (see FIGS. 23B to 23D), only the corresponding portable information terminal 32 stores the received data in the memory 180.

Next, the respective processing operations of the wireless communication means 300, the vibration generation instructing means 302 and the vibration generating means 304 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the radio communication unit 300 of the portable information terminal 32 first receives the radio communication block 1 through the reception determination unit 310 in step S201 of FIG.
After reading the data from the memory 180 of step 62, in step S202, it is also determined through the reception determining means 310 whether or not the read data is received data. This determination is made, for example, based on whether the read data is initial data.

If it is determined that the received data is not the initial data but the received data, in the next step S203, the received data is transferred to, for example, a predetermined storage area of the nonvolatile memory 172 via the data transfer means 312.
The data in the memory 180 in the wireless communication block 162 is initialized. The writing of the received data to the nonvolatile memory 172 is performed, for example, by adding an identification code indicating the received data to the head of the received data, for example.

When the processing in step S203 is completed, or when it is determined in step S202 that the data is not received data, the flow advances to the next step S204, where a data transfer request is issued from the entertainment apparatus 14 through the transfer request determination means 314. It is determined whether or not there is.

If there is no data transfer request, the flow returns to step S201 to confirm again whether or not there is received data. If there is a data transfer request, the flow proceeds to the next step S205.
Through the communication path establishing means 316, communication with the serial communication block 214 of the entertainment apparatus 14 is started via the serial communication block 170 to establish a communication path.

Next, in step S206, the data in the nonvolatile memory 172 is transmitted to the entertainment device 1 via the data communication means 318 through the established communication path.
Send to 4. The transmitted data includes data created on the portable information terminal 32 and the wireless communication block 162.
Is the received data taken into the device.

Then, in the next step S207,
Through the end determination means 320, it is determined whether or not there is a request to end the processing in the portable information terminal 32. If there is no end request, the process returns to step S201, and data transmission is performed again based on confirmation of received data and data transfer from the entertainment device 14.

In step S207, when there is a termination request, the processing by the wireless communication means 300 is terminated.

Next, the processing operation of the vibration generation instructing means 302 of the entertainment apparatus 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 and 36.

First, if the received data is in the second to fourth cases (see FIGS. 23B to 23D), step S30
In step 1, the operation device 12 connected to the entertainment device 14 is searched, and for example, a correspondence table between the identification code corresponding to each operation device 12 and the connected port number (user information table: see FIG. 29) Create If the received data is in the first case (see FIG. 23A), this processing need not be performed.

Next, if the usage mode is the third or fourth usage mode (see FIG. 26 or FIG. 27), step S302
, The portable information terminal 32 connected to the entertainment device 14 is searched, and the portable information terminal 32
A table (terminal information table: see FIG. 30) in which the port numbers to which are connected is created. If the usage mode is the first or second usage mode (see FIG. 24 or FIG. 25), this processing need not be performed.

Next, in step S303, an initial value "1" is stored in an index register i used for searching the operation device 12, and the index register i is initialized.

Next, in step S304, a request for transfer of operation data is made to the i-th operation device 12 through the communication request means 334 and the serial communication block 214 with reference to the user information table.

Next, in step S305, the serial communication block 214 is transmitted through the communication path establishing means 336.
Serial communication block 1 of the i-th operating device 12
The communication with the H.90 is started to establish a communication path. Next, in step S306, through the data receiving means 338,
The operation data from the i-th operation device 12 is received through the established communication path and stored in the main memory 222. Then, in step S307, control is transferred to the application execution processing means 340, and the running application is executed according to the received operation data.

Next, after the value of the index register i is updated by +1 in step S308, in the next step S309, through the processing completion determining means 348,
It is determined whether or not the operation data transfer request processing for all the operation devices 12 has been completed. This determination is made based on whether or not the value of the index register i is larger than the number of connections M of the operating device 12.

If the index register i is equal to or less than the number of connections M and the transfer request to all the operation devices 12 has not been completed, the flow returns to step S304 to transfer the operation data to the next operation device 12. Make a request.

When the transfer requests to all the operation devices 12 are completed, the process proceeds to the next step S310, where the initial value “1” is stored in the index register j used for searching the portable information terminal 32, and Initialize register j.

Thereafter, in step S311, the serial communication block 214 is transmitted through the communication request unit 334.
A data transfer request is sent to the j-th portable information terminal 32 via the terminal information table with reference to the terminal information table.

Next, in step S312, the serial communication block 214
The communication with the serial communication block 170 of the j-th portable information terminal 32 is started via the terminal to establish a communication path. This communication path establishment processing is performed in cooperation with the communication path establishment processing in step S205 in the wireless communication means 300 of the j-th portable information terminal 32.

Next, in step S 313, the transfer data from the j-th portable information terminal 32 is received via the established communication path via the data receiving means 338 and stored in the main memory 222.

Thereafter, in step S314, it is determined through the reception determining means 342 whether or not the transfer data is wirelessly received data. This determination is made based on whether or not an identification code indicating the received data exists at the head of the transfer data.

If the transfer data is received data, the flow advances to the next step S315, where the data analysis processing means 344 is executed.
And analyzes the received data to create a vibration generation command VC.

For example, in the case where the received data is the first to third cases (see FIGS. 23A to 23C), all the drive motors installed in the operation device 12 are provided because the vibration generator definition section does not exist. A vibration generation command VC is generated by including instruction information for generating a vibration with respect to 130 or, for example, the right drive motor 130, and information on a predetermined vibration intensity and vibration frequency.

As for the vibration intensity and the vibration frequency, for example, as shown in FIG. 37, a correspondence table (vibration information table) of the character string and the corresponding vibration intensity and vibration frequency is prepared in advance, and the received data is obtained from the correspondence table. Alternatively, the vibration intensity and the vibration frequency corresponding to the character string included in the character string portion may be read and registered in the vibration generation command VC.

When the received data is in the fourth case (see FIG. 23D), the type of drive motor 130, the vibration intensity and the vibration included in the vibration generator definition unit, vibration intensity definition unit and vibration frequency definition unit of the reception data The frequency may be directly registered in the vibration generation command VC.

Next, in step S316, the serial communication block 214
Via the serial communication block 190 of the operating device 12 corresponding to the identification code included in the sender definition part of the received data
To start communication and establish a communication path.

If the received data is the second case (see FIG. 23B), since the sender definition unit does not exist, the operating device close to the portable information terminal 32 corresponding to the identification code included in the receiver definition unit 12, that is, the communication may be started with the serial communication block 190 of the physically closest operation device 12 to establish a communication path. of course,
This method is applicable even when the received data is the first case (see FIG. 23A) or the third and fourth cases (see FIG. 23C and FIG. 23D).

If the received data is the first case (see FIG. 23A), since there is no sender definition unit and no receiver definition unit, all the connected operation devices 12 (normally, one operation device 12) ) Serial communication block 190
To start communication and establish a communication path. This method is also the first
The present invention is not limited to the case, and can be applied to the second to fourth cases.

That is, the communication path establishing means 336 functions as a selecting means for selecting one or more operating devices 12 according to the content of the radio signal (received data) received by the portable information terminal 32. .

Next, in step S317, the vibration generation command VC is transmitted to the corresponding operation device 12 through the established communication path via the command transmission means 346.

Next, in step S318, the value of the index register j is updated by +1. Then, in the next step S319, through the processing completion determining means 348,
It is determined whether or not the data transfer request processing for all portable information terminals 32 has been completed. This determination is made based on whether or not the value of the index register j is larger than the number of connections N of the portable information terminal 32.

If the index register j is equal to or less than the number N of connections and the transfer request for all portable information terminals 32 has not been completed, the flow returns to step S311 to return to the next portable information terminal 32. Request data transfer.

When the transfer requests to all the portable information terminals 32 have been completed, the process proceeds to the next step S320, where it is determined whether or not a request for ending the processing in the entertainment apparatus 14 has been made through the end determination means 350. Is done. If there is no end request, step S
Returning to step 303, a transfer request to all the operation devices 12 and a transfer request to all the portable information terminals 32 are made.

If there is a termination request in step S320, the vibration generation instructing means 302 terminates.

Next, the vibration generating means 304 of the operating device 12
Will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S401, the entertainment device 1
Wait for the transfer request of the operation data from Step 4.

If there is a data transfer request from the entertainment device 14, the flow advances to the next step S402, where the serial communication block 190 is transmitted through the communication path establishing means 362.
The communication with the serial communication block 214 of the entertainment device 14 is started via the communication device to establish a communication path. This communication path establishment processing is performed in cooperation with the communication path establishment processing in step S305 or step S316 in the vibration generation instructing means 302 of the entertainment apparatus 14.

Next, in step S403, the transmission / reception determining means 364 determines whether or not the data transfer request from the entertainment apparatus 14 at this time is a request for transmitting operation data.

If it is a request to transmit operation data, the flow advances to the next step S404, and the digital input block 1 is transmitted through the operation data transmitting means 366 through the established communication path.
98 and the operation data from the analog input block 200 are transmitted.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the received command is not a request for transmitting operation data but a request for receiving the vibration generation command VC, the process proceeds to step S40.
Proceeding to 5, the command generation means 368 receives the vibration generation command VC from the entertainment apparatus 14 through the established communication path.

Then, in the next step S406,
The command analyzing unit 370 analyzes the received vibration generation command VC and outputs the analysis result to the motor driver 230. The motor driver 230
A drive current corresponding to the vibration intensity and the vibration frequency included in the vibration generation command VC is given to the drive motor 130 corresponding to the type of the drive motor 130 included in the vibration generation command VC, and the vibration corresponding to the vibration generation command VC is provided. Generates vibration at the intensity and vibration frequency.

When the processing in step S404 or the processing in step S406 is completed, the flow advances to the next step S407, where
It is determined whether there is a request for terminating the processing in the operation device 12. If there is no end request, the process returns to step S401, and the transmission of the operation data or the reception of the vibration generation command VC is performed again.

In step S407, if there is a termination request, the vibration generating means 304 terminates.

As described above, in the entertainment system 10 according to the present embodiment, the portable information terminal 3
When a radio signal is received at 2, the reception triggers
Since the instruction (vibration generation command VC) for generating vibration is output to the operation device 12, the reception status at the portable information terminal 32 can be transmitted to the user through tactile sensation.

As a result, it becomes possible for a certain user to receive specific information or arbitrary information through a radio signal while watching the screen of a television receiver, for example, and the portable information terminal 32 receives the specific information. Since the operating device 12 vibrates when the user performs the operation, the user can recognize that specific information or arbitrary information has been received by sensing the vibration.

Thus, for example, when the user is enjoying a game while watching the screen of the television receiver, it is possible to notify the user of the arrival of the radio signal without disturbing the contents of the screen.

Further, when the user plays, for example, a battle game with a distant friend using, for example, the Internet, the result of the operation by the user is transmitted with vibrations, and a realistic game Deployment can be possible.

In particular, in the present embodiment, a plurality of operating devices 1 connected to the entertainment device 14
2, a selection means (communication path establishing means 336) for selecting one or more operation devices 12 in accordance with the content of the radio signal (reception data) received by the portable information terminal 32 is used to instruct the entertainment device 14 to generate vibration. Installed on the means 302,
Since the vibration generation command means 302 outputs the vibration generation command VC to the selected operation device 12, the vibration generation command means 302 corresponds to the content received by the portable information terminal 32 among the plurality of operation devices 12. The operating device 12 will vibrate.

Thus, for example, when each user is searching for various information or playing a competitive game using a plurality of operating devices 12 connected to one entertainment device 14, for example, the portable information terminal 32 In this case, the fact that the wireless signal has been received is transmitted as vibration to the user corresponding to the content, so that a wide variety of information provision and game development can be established.

In the present embodiment, as in the third and fourth modes of use (see FIGS. 26 and 27), a plurality of portable information terminals 32 and a plurality of operating devices 12 are connected to the entertainment device 14. In this case, the vibration generation instruction means 302 outputs a vibration generation command VC to the operation device 12 corresponding to the portable information terminal 32 that has received the wireless signal.

Thus, it is possible to individually notify the user corresponding to the content of reception at portable information terminal 32 that received the radio signal that the information has been received.

Further, in the present embodiment, the degree of vibration in the operating device 12, the type of the drive motor 130, the vibration intensity and the vibration frequency are changed according to, for example, a received message. Can easily know the received content through the sense of touch.

Next, a modified example of the entertainment system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The entertainment system 10 according to this modification has substantially the same configuration as the entertainment system 10 according to the present embodiment, but the radio communication means 300 in the portable information terminal 32 as shown in FIG.
The configuration of the vibration generation instructing means 302 in the entertainment device 14 is partially different.

That is, the wireless communication means 300a according to the modification example
Are the reception determination means 310 and the data transfer means 31 described above.
2. In addition to the communication path establishment means 316, the data transmission means 318, and the end determination means 320, the wireless communication block 162
Is provided with an interrupt signal generating means 380 which generates an interrupt signal Sr and outputs it to the entertainment apparatus 14 when there is received data.

On the other hand, the vibration generation instructing means 30 according to the modified example
2a is the above-mentioned user setting processing means 330, terminal setting processing means 332, communication requesting means 334, communication path establishing means 336, data receiving means 338, application execution processing means 340, data analysis processing means 344, command transmitting means 346. In addition to the processing completion determining means 348 and the end determining means 350, the interrupt determining means 382 for determining the input of the interrupt signal Sr from the portable information terminal 32 is provided.

Then, the wireless communication means 3 according to this modification example
In step 00a, first, as shown in FIG. 41, steps S501 to S503, which are processes corresponding to steps S201 to S203 described above, are performed. That is, it is determined whether or not there is received data in the wireless communication block 162. If there is received data, the received data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 17
2 is stored.

Then, in the next step S504,
An interrupt signal Sr is generated through the interrupt signal generating means 380 and output to the entertainment device 14 via the serial communication block 170.

Next, in step S505, the entertainment apparatus 1 is connected via the serial communication block 170.
Then, communication with the serial communication block 214 is started to establish a communication path, and in step S506, the received data in the nonvolatile memory 172 is transmitted to the entertainment device 14 via the established communication path.

Then, in the next step S507,
It is determined whether there is a request for terminating the process in the portable information terminal 32. If there is no termination request, the process returns to step S501. If there is a termination request, the wireless communication unit according to this modification example The process at 300a ends.

On the other hand, the vibration generation instructing means 30 according to the modified example
In 2a, first, a user setting process is performed in step S601 of FIG. 42, and a terminal setting process is performed in the next step S602.

Next, in step S603, the index register i is initialized, and in step S604, a request to transfer operation data to the i-th operation device 12 via the serial communication block 214 while referring to the user information table. Is performed.

Next, in step S605, communication with the serial communication block 190 of the i-th operating device 12 is started via the serial communication block 214 to establish a communication path. In the next step S606, the established communication path is established. Receives the operation data from the i-th operation device 12 and stores it in the main memory 222. Then, step S
At 607, control is transferred to the application execution processing means 340, and the running application is executed according to the received operation data.

Next, in step S608, the value of the index register i is updated by +1. In the next step S609, it is determined whether or not the processing for requesting transfer of operation data to all the operation devices 12 has been completed. If the transfer request to the operation device 12 has not been completed, the process returns to step S604, and the next operation device 1
2 is requested to transfer the operation data.

When the transfer requests to all the operation devices 12 have been completed, the flow advances to the next step S610, where it is determined whether or not an interrupt signal Sr has been input from the portable information terminal 32 through the interrupt determination means 382. You. If there is no input of the interrupt signal Sr, the process proceeds to step S603.
Returning to, the operation data is again received from the operation device 12, and if an interrupt signal Sr is input, the process proceeds to step S 611 in FIG. Communication with the 32 serial communication blocks 162 is started to establish a communication path.

Next, in step S612, the received data from the portable information terminal 32 is received through the established communication path and stored in the main memory 222. After that, in step S613, the received data is analyzed to create the vibration generation command VC.

Next, in step S614, communication with the serial communication block 190 of the operating device 12 corresponding to the identification code included in the sender definition unit of the received data is started via the serial communication block 214 to establish a communication path. . In this step, as described above, the same processing as in step S316 shown in FIG. 36 is performed.

Next, in step S615, the vibration generation command VC is transmitted to the corresponding operation device 12 through the established communication path via the command transmission means 346.

Then, in the next step S616,
It is determined whether or not there is a request to end the processing in the entertainment apparatus 14. If there is no end request, the process returns to step S603. If there is an end request, the vibration generation instruction means 302a according to this modification example Ends.

[0214] In the entertainment system 10 according to this modification, similarly to the entertainment system 10 according to the present embodiment, the reception status at the portable information terminal 32 can be transmitted to the user through the sense of touch.

As a result, it becomes possible for a certain user to receive specific information or arbitrary information through a radio signal while watching the screen of a television receiver, for example, and the portable information terminal 32 receives the specific information. Since the operating device vibrates when the user performs the operation, the user can recognize that specific information or arbitrary information has been received by sensing the vibration.

Thus, for example, when the user is enjoying a game while watching the screen of the television receiver, the user can be notified of the arrival of the radio signal without disturbing the contents of the screen.

[0217] The entertainment system and the recording medium according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment.
Of course, various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0218]

As described above, according to the entertainment system of the present invention, a portable information terminal can be used by connecting to an entertainment device.
The reception status at the portable information terminal can be transmitted to the user through tactile sensation.

[0219] In addition, the degree of vibration (intensity, frequency,
(Type of vibration generating means) can be changed, and the received content can be known through tactile sensation.

Further, for example, a plurality of portable information receiving apparatuses can be connected to one entertainment apparatus for use, and information can be selectively transmitted to a user corresponding to the contents received by these portable information terminals. Can be transmitted.

Next, according to the recording medium of the present invention, the portable information terminal can be used by connecting it to the entertainment device, and the reception status of the portable information terminal can be transmitted to the user through tactile sensation. Can be provided.

Further, according to the content received by the portable information terminal, the degree of vibration (intensity, frequency,
(Type of vibration generating means) can be changed, and a program can be provided that allows the user to know the received content through tactile sensation.

Further, for example, a plurality of portable information receiving apparatuses can be connected to one entertainment apparatus and used, and information can be selectively transmitted to a user corresponding to the contents received by these portable information terminals. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an entertainment system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a state of a slot in the entertainment device.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view illustrating a configuration of the entertainment apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the appearance of the portable information terminal.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the portable information terminal.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a lid member is opened in the portable information terminal.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the appearance of the portable information terminal.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an operation device.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the operation device.

FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the operation device.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing the operation device.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a use state of the operating device.

FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway bottom view showing a state in which a vibration imparting mechanism is provided in the first and second grips.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a vibration applying mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state where the vibration imparting mechanism is incorporated in the operating device.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing hardware layers and software layers of the portable information terminal, the operation device, and the entertainment device.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hardware layer of the portable information terminal.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a hardware layer of the operation device.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hardware layer of the entertainment device.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a main part for performing bidirectional serial communication between the operation device and the entertainment device.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an entertainment system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication unit of the portable information terminal.

FIG. 23A is an explanatory diagram showing details of received data in a first case, FIG. 23B is an explanatory diagram showing details of a second case, and FIG.
FIG. 23D is an explanatory diagram showing details in the case of the fourth case, and FIG. 23D is an explanatory diagram showing details in the case of the fourth case.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a first usage mode of the portable information terminal, the operation device, and the entertainment device.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a second usage mode of the portable information terminal, the operation device, and the entertainment device.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a third usage mode of the portable information terminal, the operation device, and the entertainment device.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth usage mode of the portable information terminal, the operation device, and the entertainment device.

FIG. 28 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vibration generation instructing unit of the entertainment apparatus.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a user information table.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a terminal information table.

FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vibration generating unit of the operating device.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a wireless communication block based on a first case of received data.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a wireless communication block based on the second to fourth cases of received data.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a wireless communication unit of the portable information terminal.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a processing operation of a vibration generation instructing unit of the entertainment apparatus;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a processing operation of a vibration generation instructing unit of the entertainment apparatus;

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a vibration information table.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a vibration generation unit of the operation device.

FIG. 39 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication unit according to a modification.

FIG. 40 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vibration generation instruction unit according to a modification.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a wireless communication unit according to a modification.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a processing operation of a vibration generation instructing unit according to a modification;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a processing operation of the vibration generation instructing means according to the modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Entertainment system 12 ... Operating device 14 ... Entertainment device 32 ... Portable information terminal 128 ... Vibration imparting mechanism 130 ... Drive motor 300, 300a ... Wireless communication means 302, 302a ... Vibration generation instruction means 304 ... Vibration generation means

Claims (16)

[Claims] An entertainment device for executing various programs; one or more operating devices connected to the entertainment device for inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment device; a wireless signal receivable; A portable information terminal that transmits and receives information to and from an entertainment device; and wherein the operating device includes a vibration generating unit that applies vibration to the user in response to an external request. When the wireless signal is received by the portable information terminal, the reception triggers:
An entertainment system, comprising: a vibration generation instruction unit that outputs an instruction for generating vibration to the operation device. 2. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the entertainment device includes a monitoring unit that monitors a reception state of the portable information terminal, and the vibration generation instruction unit includes a reception unit that receives the vibration. An entertainment system, which outputs an instruction for generating vibration to the operating device in response to the detection. 3. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the portable information terminal includes interrupt signal generating means for generating an interrupt signal in response to reception of the wireless signal, wherein the vibration generation instructing means includes: An entertainment system, which outputs an instruction for generating vibration to the operating device in response to the input of the interrupt signal. 4. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the entertainment device receives the portable information terminal among a plurality of operation devices connected to the entertainment device. The apparatus further includes a selection unit that selects one or more operation devices according to the content of the wireless signal, wherein the vibration generation instruction unit outputs an instruction to generate vibration to the selected operation device. An entertainment system characterized by the following. 5. The vibration generation instruction means according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of portable information terminals and a plurality of operation devices are connected to the entertainment device. Comprises: outputting an instruction for generating vibration to an operation device corresponding to the portable information terminal that has received the wireless signal. 6. The entertainment system according to claim 5, wherein said vibration generation instructing means instructs an operating device physically closest to the portable information terminal that has received said radio signal to generate vibration. An entertainment system characterized by outputting. 7. The entertainment system according to claim 5, wherein said vibration generation instructing means instructs an operation device logically corresponding to the portable information terminal receiving said wireless signal to generate vibration. An entertainment system characterized by outputting. 8. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction for generating the vibration output from the vibration generation instructing means is a content received by the portable information terminal. An entertainment system including a degree of vibration according to 9. An entertainment device for executing various programs; one or more operating devices connected to the entertainment device for inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment device; a wireless signal receivable; A portable information terminal that transmits and receives information to and from an entertainment device; and a program used in an entertainment system that includes a vibration generating unit that applies vibration to the user in response to an external request in the operation device. And when the portable information terminal receives the wireless signal,
A recording medium storing a program having a vibration generation instruction step of outputting an instruction for generating vibration to the operating device in response to the reception. 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, further comprising a monitoring step of monitoring a reception status of the portable information terminal, wherein the vibration generation instruction step is triggered by the detection of the reception in the monitoring step. A recording medium, which outputs an instruction for generating vibration to the operation device. 11. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein an interrupt signal generating step for generating an interrupt signal in response to the reception of the wireless signal is stored, the step being used in the portable information terminal. The recording medium, wherein the vibration generation instruction step outputs an instruction for generating vibration to the operating device in response to the input of the interrupt signal. 12. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein a content of a radio signal received by said portable information terminal among a plurality of operation devices connected to said entertainment device. A selection step of selecting one or more operation devices according to the stored operation is stored, and the vibration generation instruction step outputs an instruction for generating vibration to the selected operation device. Medium. 13. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein when a plurality of portable information terminals and a plurality of operation devices are connected to the entertainment device, the vibration generation instruction step is performed. A recording medium for outputting an instruction to generate vibration to an operation device corresponding to the portable information terminal that has received the wireless signal. 14. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein the step of instructing the generation of the vibration is performed on an operating device physically closest to the portable information terminal that has received the wireless signal.
A recording medium for outputting an instruction for generating vibration. 15. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein the step of instructing the generation of the vibration includes an operation device logically corresponding to the portable information terminal that has received the radio signal.
A recording medium for outputting an instruction for generating vibration. 16. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the instruction for generating the vibration output from the vibration generation instruction step is a content received by the portable information terminal. A recording medium characterized by including a degree of vibration according to the recording medium.