Information processing system, game system, information processing device, terminal device, information processing method, and storage medium having information processing program stored therein

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9403094-B2
Application number	US-201514840735-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2015
Priority date	Jun 3, 2011
Publication date	Aug 2, 2016
Grant date	Aug 2, 2016

Abstract

An example game system includes a game apparatus and an operating device. The game apparatus acquires operation data from the operating device. Moreover, the game apparatus executes an application and outputs an image generated by the execution of the application to either the operating device or a predetermined display device different from the operating device, or both. When a predetermined operation is performed on the operating device during the execution of the application, a predetermined operation image is displayed on a display unit of the operating device. In a state where the operation image is displayed on the display unit, the game apparatus determines whether or not a control instruction has been provided to control the predetermined display device, on the basis of the operation data. When the control instruction is determined to have been provided, the predetermined display device is controlled in accordance with the control instruction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An information processing system comprising a first information processing device and a second information processing device, wherein
the first information processing device includes:
a first communication interface configured for communication with the second information processing device; and
a first processing system, including at least one processor, for executing an application based on first operation data representing an operation performed on the first information processing device and second operation data received from the second information processing device using the first communication interface, and displaying an image generated by execution of the application on a predetermined display device different from the second information processing device,

the second information processing device includes:
a second communication interface configured for communication with the first information processing device;
a second processing system, including at least one processor, for executing an application based at least on the second operation data representing an operation performed on the second information processing device; and
a display for displaying an image generated by execution of the application, and

if a predetermined operation is performed on the second information processing device while the application is executed on the second information processing device, the second processing system generates an operation image and displays the operation image on the display, and if a control instruction is provided while the operation image is displayed on the display, the second processing system controls the predetermined display device according to the control instruction.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
in a state where the operation image is displayed on the display, the second processing system determines whether or not a termination instruction has been provided to terminate the application being executed, and
when the termination instruction is determined to have been provided, the second processing system terminates the execution of the application.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
when a predetermined operation is performed on the second information processing device during the execution of the application, the second processing system suspends the execution of the application,
in the state where the operation image is displayed on the display, the second processing system determines whether or not a resumption instruction has been provided to resume the execution of the application, and
when the resumption instruction is determined to have been provided, the second processing system resumes the execution of the application.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
the predetermined display device is configured to receive television broadcasting and display a television program, and
when the operation image is displayed on the display, the first processing system generates an image including a television program guide and outputs the generated image to the predetermined display device.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
the second processing system generates as the operation image an image including a control instruction image representing the control instruction, and
when the control instruction image is selected, the second processing system determines the control instruction to have been provided.

6. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
the predetermined display device is configured to receive television broadcasting and display a television program, and
the second processing system generates an image including a television program guide as the operation image, and outputs the generated image to the display.

7. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
the predetermined display device is configured to receive television broadcasting and display a television program,
the predetermined display device is switchable between a first mode in which an image is inputted from the first information processing device is displayed and a second mode in which a television broadcast image is displayed, and
the second processing system controls the predetermined display device to be switched to the second mode in response to the operation image being displayed on the display.

8. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
the predetermined display device is configured to receive television broadcasting and display a television program,
the predetermined display device is switchable between a first mode in which an image inputted from the first information processing device is displayed and a second mode in which a television broadcast image is displayed, and
the second processing system controls the predetermined display device to be switched to the first mode in response to the image displayed on the display switching from the operation image to an image generated by execution of the application.

9. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
the second information processing device further includes a control signal transmitter for transmitting a control signal to control the predetermined display device, and
the second processing system causes the control signal transmitter to transmit a control signal indicating the content of control according to the control instruction.

10. The information processing system according to claim 9 , wherein
the control signal transmitter transmits an infrared signal as the control signal, and
the predetermined display device includes an infrared light receiver for receiving the infrared signal.

11. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
the second information processing device further includes a touch panel provided on a screen of the display,
the second processing system generates as the operation image an image including a control instruction image representing the control instruction, and
when the control instruction image is selected on the touch panel, the second processing system determines the control instruction to have been provided.

12. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the control instruction is at least one of (a) an instruction to tune to a channel, (b) an instruction to turn on or off a power supply, (c) an instruction to change a sound volume, and (d) an instruction to change an input.

13. A game system comprising a game apparatus and a terminal device, wherein
the game apparatus includes:
a first communication interface configured for communication with the terminal device; and
a first processing system, including at least one processor, for executing a game application based on first operation data representing an operation performed on the game apparatus and second operation data received from the terminal device using the first communication interface, and generating a game image by execution of the application,

the terminal device includes:
a second communication interface configured for communication with the game apparatus;
a second processing system, including at least one processor, for executing a game application based at least on second operation data representing an operation performed on the terminal device; and
a display for displaying the game image generated by execution of the game application, wherein

if a predetermined operation is performed on the terminal device while the game application is executed on the terminal device,

Assignees

• Nintendo Co Ltd

Inventors

• Nogami Hisashi
• Tsuda Munetaka

Classifications

• A63F13/49

  Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game · CPC title

• A63F2300/695

  Imported photos, e.g. of the player · CPC title

• A63F13/655

  by importing photos, e.g. of the player · CPC title

• A63F13/28

  responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light · CPC title

• A63F13/26

  having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth · CPC title