Information processing system, storage medium having stored therein information processing program, information processing apparatus, input device, and information processing method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9555330-B2
Application number	US-201213357940-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 25, 2012
Priority date	Feb 10, 2011
Publication date	Jan 31, 2017
Grant date	Jan 31, 2017

Abstract

An example of a configuration of an information processing system of the exemplary embodiment includes a first input device on which at least a portion of a user's body is allowed to be put and an information processing apparatus for processing data obtained from the first input device. The first input device includes a first platform on which at least a portion of a user's body is put; and a distance data output unit. The distance data output unit outputs distance data determined in accordance with a distance to an object positioned in a direction away from a platform surface of the first platform. The information processing apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and a processing unit. The data acquisition unit acquires the distance data outputted by the distance data output unit. The processing unit performs a predetermined process, based on the distance data acquired by the data acquisition unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An information processing system comprising a first input device on which at least a portion of a user's body is allowed to be positioned and an information processing apparatus for processing data obtained from the first input device, wherein
the first input device comprises:
a first platform on which at least a portion of a user's body is positioned;
a surface, having an area on which a user positions his/her foot sole, is set on a platform surface of the first platform; and
at least one distance data output device, disposed below the surface adjacent to the area on which the user positions his/her foot sole, the at least one distance data output device configured to output distance data allowing for acquisition of a distance between the surface and a height of an appendage of the user from the surface of the first platform during an action of the user raising his/her appendage from the first platform, and

the information processing apparatus comprises:
a data acquisition device configured to acquire the distance data outputted by the distance data output device; and
a processing device configured to calculate at least an amount of exercise of the user based on the distance data acquired by the data acquisition device and perform a predetermined process based on the calculated amount of exercise.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
a pair of surfaces, on which the user positions his/her feet soles, respectively, is provided on the platform surface of the first platform, and
the at least one distance data output device is disposed below at least one of the pair of surfaces, and outputs distance data allowing for acquisition of the distance between the surface and the height of the user's appendage from the surface of the first platform.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2 , wherein
the distance data output device is disposed below each of the pair of surfaces.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein two of the distance data output devices are disposed below the surface at a predetermined distance therebetween in a direction along with the surface.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the first platform comprises a plurality of projections projected from the surface.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of projections are configured in an up/down movable manner so as to be in a state in which either the plurality of projections project from the surface or the plurality of projections retract from the surface.

7. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
the processing device comprises a parameter calculation device for calculating a parameter corresponding to an energy consumed by the user, based on a distance in accordance with the distance data, and
the processing device performs a predetermined process, based on the parameter calculated by the parameter calculation device.

8. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter so that the longer the distance in accordance with the distance data is, the larger the energy becomes.

9. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein
the distance data output device repeatedly outputs the distance data determined in accordance with the distance to the object positioned in the direction away from the surface of the first platform,
the data acquisition device repeatedly acquires the distance data repeatedly outputted by the distance data output device, and
the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter each time the data acquisition device repeatedly acquires the distance data.

10. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter, based on a maximum value of the distance during a period in which the distance in accordance with the distance data is indicating a predetermined value or above.

11. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter, based on an integration value of the distance in accordance with the distance data.

12. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter, based on a maximal value of the distance in accordance with the distance data.

13. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein
a plurality of the distance data output devices are disposed below the surface, and each outputs distance data allowing for acquisition of the distance between the surface and the height of the user's appendage from the surface of the first platform, and
the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter, based on a distance in accordance with the distance data outputted by each of the plurality of distance data output devices, and, by summing the parameters, calculates a parameter corresponding to an accumulated energy consumed by the user.

14. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein
the processing device comprises a count calculation device configured to calculate the number of times the user has moved his/her feet up and down on the surface, based on the data outputted by the first input device, and
the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter, based on the number of times the user has moved his/her feet up and down, calculated by the count calculation device, and the distance in accordance with the distance data.

15. The information processing system according to claim 14 , wherein the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter so that the greater the number of times the user has moved his/her feet up and down, calculated by the count calculation device, is, the larger the energy becomes.

16. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein
the first input device further comprises at least one load data output device configured to output load data determined in accordance with a load applied to the first platform,
the data acquisition device acquires the distance data outputted by the distance data output device and the load data outputted by the load data output device, and
the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter, based on the distance in accordance with the distance data and a load in accordance with the load data.

17. The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein
the information processing apparatus further comprises a weight acquisition device configured to acquire weight of weights borne by the user on the first input device, in accordance with user input, and
the parameter calculation device calculates the parameter, based on the distance in accordance with the distance data and the weight acquired by the weight acquisition device.

18. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein
the distance data output device comprises:
a radiation device configured to radiate a predetermined wave in the direction away from the surface of the first platform;
a reception device configured to receive a reflected wave which is the predetermined wave reflected from the object; and
a detection device configured to detect the distance to the object positioned in the direction away from the surface of the first platform, using information regarding the reflected wave received by the reception device.

19.

Assignees

• Takeda Genyo
• Wakitani Noboru
• Nintendo Co Ltd

Inventors

• Takeda Genyo
• Wakitani Noboru

Classifications

• A63F13/214

  for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads · CPC title

• A63F2300/1043

  being characterized by constructional details · CPC title

• A63F13/218

  using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player · CPC title

• G06F3/042

  by opto-electronic means · CPC title

• A63F13/98

  Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers · CPC title