Mobile body and information processing system

Abstract

To propose an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information medium that can control operation of a moving body adaptively to position information corresponding to a predetermined arrangement pattern.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises an information acquisition unit for acquiring position information from a sensor constituted so as to read a predetermined arrangement pattern, and an operation control unit for controlling operation of a first moving body including movement in a real space on the basis of the position information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to Mobile Body and Information Processing System .

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various plays and games using real objects have been proposed. For example, toys that can assemble three-dimensional objects using a plurality of blocks and parts have been proposed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a technique for detecting or tracking an image of a real object located on a playfield based on an imaging result of the playfield.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not consider adaptively controlling the operation of a moving body based on position information corresponding to a predetermined arrangement pattern.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a novel and improved information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information medium capable of adaptively controlling the operation of a moving body based on position information corresponding to a predetermined arrangement pattern.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus including an information acquisition unit that acquires position information from a sensor configured to read a predetermined arrangement pattern, and an operation control unit that controls the operation of a first moving body including movement in a real space based on the position information.

[0008] Also, according to the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method including: acquiring position information from a sensor configured to read a predetermined array pattern; and controlling, by a processor, the operation of a first moving body including movement in a real space based on the position information.

[0009] Also, according to the present disclosure, there is provided an information medium including: defining position information regarding a real space by a plurality of different patterns; a first array pattern having a first area; defining control information regarding the operation of a moving body; and a second array pattern having a second area smaller than the first area.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] As described above, according to the present disclosure, the operation of the moving body can be adaptively controlled according to the position information corresponding to the predetermined array pattern. Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and any of the effects described in the present disclosure may be applicable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0013] Also, in this specification and the drawings, a plurality of components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by attaching different alphabets after the same reference numeral. For example, a plurality of configurations having substantially the same functional configuration are distinguished as the carriage 20a and the carriage 20b as necessary. However, when it is not necessary to particularly distinguish each of a plurality of components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral is attached. For example, when it is not necessary to particularly distinguish the carriage 20a and the carriage 20b, it is simply referred to as the carriage 20.

[0014] Also, the "MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION" will be described according to the following item order. 1. Configuration of the information processing system 2. First Embodiment 3. Second Embodiment 4. Third Embodiment 5. Fourth Embodiment 6. Fifth Embodiment 7. Sixth Embodiment 8. Seventh Embodiment 9. Eighth Embodiment 10. Ninth Embodiment 11. Tenth Embodiment 12. Eleventh Embodiment 13. Twelfth Embodiment 14. Thirteenth Embodiment 15. Fourteenth Embodiment 16. Fifteenth Embodiment 17. Sixteenth Embodiment 18. Seventeenth Embodiment 19. Hardware Configuration 20. Modification

[0015] <<1. Configuration of Information Processing System>> First, a configuration example of the information processing system common to each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system common to each embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 10, one or more trolleys 20, and a mat 30.

[0016] <1-1. Information Processing Apparatus 10> The information processing apparatus 10 is a device that controls the operation of one or more trolleys 20. Further, the information processing apparatus 10 can control the execution of various applications such as game applications. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 controls the execution of a game application and controls the operation of one or more trolleys 20 during the execution of the game application. Note that in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 is provided in hardware separate from the trolley 20, but it should be noted that at least a part of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 for controlling the trolley 20 may be provided in the trolley 20.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 may include an operation unit 122, a display unit 124, and a cassette connection unit 128.

[0018] {1-1-1. Cassette Connection Unit 128} The cassette connection part 128 is a mechanism for connecting the cassette 22. In the cassette 22, for example, binary data of various applications (such as game applications), video data, or music data, etc. are stored.

[0019] For example, when the cassette 22 is set with respect to the cassette connection part 128, the control part 100 described later reads out the application stored in the cassette 22 and starts the application.

[0020] {1-1-2. Operation part 122} The operation part 122 receives a user's operation regarding, for example, the operation of the carriage 20. Although details will be described later, each operation part 122 can be associated with an individual carriage 20. In this case, the operation part 122 can receive an operation on the carriage 20 associated with the operation part 122. Then, the information processing apparatus 10 can control the operation of the corresponding carriage 20 according to the operation information received from the operation part 122.

[0021] {1-1-3. Display part 124} The display part 124 can be configured to include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), etc. For example, the display part 124 may be configured as a touch display.

[0022] The display part 124 displays various information (for example, status information regarding the application being started, various notification information, etc.) according to the control of the control part 100 described later.

[0023] <1-2. Mat 30> The mat 30 is an example of the first sheet-like medium (information medium) according to the present disclosure. A predetermined arrangement pattern is printed (recorded) on the mat 30. The predetermined arrangement pattern may have a first arrangement pattern that defines position information on the mat 30 by a plurality of different patterns. The position information on this mat 30 can be regarded as position information associated with the real space. For example, a plurality of unit regions in a grid pattern are defined on the mat 30, and for each unit region, a pattern associated with the position information of the unit region is printed (recorded). Note that as disclosed in the sixth embodiment described later, the information medium may have the shape of a book. More specifically, it should be noted that the information medium according to the present disclosure only needs to have a surface with a predetermined arrangement pattern, and the surface with the predetermined arrangement pattern is not limited to a flat surface. Further, the predetermined arrangement pattern may be either a pattern that reflects visible light or a pattern that reflects invisible light, or a combination of these. When adopting a pattern that reflects invisible light, for example, a pattern that reflects infrared light is printed on the mat 30, and the pattern may be recognized by sensing with an IR (Infrared) sensor for the mat 30.

[0024] Furthermore, the predetermined arrangement pattern may include a second arrangement pattern that defines control information regarding the operation of the carriage 20. For example, the control information includes information for controlling at least one of the moving speed, operation pattern, and rotational operation of the carriage 20.

[0025] <1-3. Carriage 20> {1-3-1. External Configuration} The carriage 20 is an example of a moving body according to the present disclosure. The carriage 20 performs operations (such as traveling) including movement based on a user's operation on the operation unit 122 or control of the information processing apparatus 10. FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams showing an example of the external configuration of the carriage 20. FIG. 2 is an example of a bottom view of the carriage 20. FIG. 3 is an example of a front view of the carriage 20. FIG. 4 is an example of a plan view of the carriage 20. FIG. 5 is an example of a side view of the carriage 20. Note that "movement" described in the present disclosure may be regarded as mainly referring to the movement of a moving body (for example, the carriage 20) in the horizontal direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 20 has a power switch 250, a position sensor 228a, a switch 222a, and two wheels 254. Further, the carriage 20 may have one motor (not shown) for rotating each of the wheels 254. For example, when the switch 222a and three points of the two wheels 254 are grounded, the carriage 20 travels on the surface on which the carriage 20 is located.

[0027] (1-3-1-1. Sensor unit 228) The sensor unit 228 includes a position sensor 228a. The position sensor 228a may be configured to include an image sensor (camera). For example, when the carriage 20 is placed on the mat 30, the position sensor 228a captures an image of the mat 30, and performs processing such as decoding on the captured image, thereby reading the array pattern recorded on the mat 30 to obtain position information on the mat 30. More specifically, the position sensor 228a reads the array pattern recorded in the unit area located directly below the position sensor 228a among a plurality of unit areas in the mat 30.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the position sensor 228a may be attached at a distance from the approximate center of the carriage 20 in the horizontal direction of the carriage 20. Further, the position sensor 228a may be attached in front of the carriage 20 in the horizontal direction of the carriage 20.

[0029] Although the illustration is omitted, the sensor unit 228 may further include an acceleration sensor, a rotation sensor of the motor, and a force sensor. For example, the force sensor may sense the strength of the force applied to the carriage 20 from the outside. As an example, a force sensor may be installed instead of the switch 222a.

[0030] (1-3-1-2. Mounting portion 260) As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a mounting portion 260 may be installed on the upper surface of the carriage 20. The mounting portion 260 is composed of a predetermined electrical interface. For example, the mounting portion 260 includes a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) interface, an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus, an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), or a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, a toy 40 may be attached to the mounting portion 260. The toy 40 is configured by combining one or more construction sets. Further, the toy 40 may have, for example, an LED, a motor, and a buzzer.

[0032] When the toy 40 is attached to the mounting portion 260, the carriage 20 can control the operation of the toy 40 (for example, the lighting of the LED, the rotation of the motor, or the output of sound). Although details will be described later, for example, when the user approaches or touches the toy 40 or the carriage 20 on which the toy 40 is mounted with respect to a paper (such as a card) on which a predetermined arrangement pattern (also referred to as a fourth arrangement pattern) is recorded, the toy 40 or the carriage 20 and the fourth arrangement pattern can be associated. In this case, the information processing device 10 or the carriage 20 can control the operation of the toy 40 with an operation pattern corresponding to the fourth arrangement pattern.

[0033] {1-3-2. Functional configuration} Here, with reference to FIG. 7, the functional configuration of the carriage 20 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the carriage 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the carriage 20 includes a control unit 200, a communication unit 220, an input unit 222, a display unit 224, an audio output unit 226, a sensor unit 228, a short-range wireless communication unit 230, a drive unit 232, and a servo motor 234. Note that descriptions of the same content as the above description will be omitted.

[0034] (1-3-2-1. Control Unit 200) The control unit 200 may be configured to include a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 100 comprehensively controls the operation of the carriage 20.

[0035] For example, the control unit 100 causes the communication unit 220 to transmit the position information read by the sensor unit 228 from the mat 30 to the information processing device 10. Note that instead of the sensor unit 228, it is also possible for the control unit 100 to specify the position information corresponding to the array pattern read by the sensor unit 228 from the mat 30.

[0036] (1-3-2-2. Input Unit 222) The input unit 222 receives the user's operation on the carriage 20. The input unit 222 may include a switch 222a, a push button, and the like.

[0037] (1-3-2-3. Display Unit 224) The display unit 224 is composed of, for example, an LED (such as a 4-color LED), an LCD, or an OLED. The display unit 224 displays various information according to the control of the control unit 200. For example, during the startup of a game application, the display unit 224 displays various notification information related to the corresponding carriage 20.

[0038] (1-3-2-4. Audio Output Unit 226) The voice output unit 226 is composed of, for example, a speaker. The voice output unit 226 outputs various voices according to the control of the control unit 200. For example, during the startup of a game application, the voice output unit 226 outputs various notification sounds (such as buzzers) and effect sounds related to the corresponding cart 20.

[0039] (1-3-2-5. Short-range wireless communication unit 230) The short-range wireless communication unit 230 includes, for example, an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader and writer. For example, the short-range wireless communication unit 230 reads information from an NFC tag brought close to the short-range wireless communication unit 230 or writes information to the NFC tag.

[0040] (1-3-2-6. Driving unit 232) The driving unit 232 is a mechanism for driving the cart 20. The driving unit 232 may include, for example, one motor on each of the left and right sides. These motors can rotate according to the control of the control unit 200. Thereby, when the individual wheels 254 of the cart 20 rotate, the cart 20 can move on the surface where the cart 20 is located.

[0041] (1-3-2-7. Servo motor 234) The servo motor 234 is a motor for controlling the position, speed, etc. in the servo mechanism included in the cart 20. For example, when the servo motor 234 rotates according to the control of the control unit 200, the corresponding cart 20 collides with (kicks, etc.) another object or the cart 20 itself falls over.

[0042] Above, the configuration of the information processing system common to each embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. Hereinafter, each embodiment will be sequentially described in detail.

[0043] <<2. First Embodiment>> First, a first embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described. First, the background leading to the creation of the first embodiment will be described. Usually, for each type of game or application, it is desirable that the type of mat 30 (for example, the illustration of the mat 30, etc.) is different. In this case, the information processing apparatus 10 needs to be able to identify the type of mat 30 that the user is using.

[0044] As will be described later, according to the first embodiment, when one or more carts 20 are placed on the mat 30, the information processing apparatus 10 can identify the type of the corresponding mat.

[0045] <2-1. Configuration> Next, the configuration according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a control unit 100, a communication unit 120, an operation unit 122, a display unit 124, an audio output unit 126, a cassette connection unit 128, and a storage unit 130.

[0046] {2-1-1. Control Unit 100} The control unit 100 may be configured to include a processing circuit such as a CPU 150 described later, for example. The control unit 100 comprehensively controls the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 100 includes an information acquisition unit 102, a mat information identification unit 104, an operation control unit 106, and an output control unit 108.

[0047] {2-1-2. Information Acquisition Unit 102} The information acquisition unit 102 acquires the information sensed by the cart 20 from the cart 20. For example, the information acquisition unit 102 acquires the position information and control information read by the cart 20 from the mat 30 by receiving them from the cart 20.

[0048] Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 102 can acquire the operation information of the user input to the operation unit 122 from the operation unit 122. Further, the information acquisition unit 102 can acquire information (such as binary data of an application, music data, etc.) read from a cassette connected to the cassette connection unit 128 from the cassette connection unit 128.

[0049] {2-1-3. Mat information specifying unit 104} The mat information specifying unit 104 specifies the identification information (mat ID) of the mat 30 on which the carriage 20 is placed based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 102.

[0050] (2-1-3-1. Specific example 1) For example, a start position is defined on the mat 30, and the position information of the start position and the mat ID can be associated with each other one-to-one in advance. In this case, for example, when the carriage 20 is placed at the start position and the start button included in the operation unit 122 is pressed, the mat information specifying unit 104 can specify the mat ID associated with the position information acquired by the carriage 20 from the start position as the mat ID of the corresponding mat 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the mat information specifying unit 104 specifies the mat ID "Mat23" associated with the position information (5, 2) acquired by the carriage 20a from the start position on the mat 30 as the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the carriage 20a is placed.

[0051] (2-1-3-2. Specific example 2) Alternatively, the start positions of the two carts 20 are defined on the mat 30, and the combination of the position information of the two start positions and the mat ID can be associated with each other one-to-one in advance. In this case, one cart 20 is placed at each of the two start positions, and when the start button included in the operation unit 122 is pressed, the mat information specifying unit 104 can specify the mat ID associated with the combination of the position information obtained by each of the two carts 20 from the mat 30 as the mat ID of the corresponding mat 30. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the position information obtained by the cart 20a from the first start position on the mat 30 is (5, 2), and the position information obtained by the cart 20b from the second start position on the mat 30 is (10, 5). In this case, the mat information specifying unit 104 sets the mat ID "Mat23" associated with the combination of (5, 2) and (10, 5) as the mat ID of the mat 30 where the two carts 20 are placed.

[0052] (2-1-3-3. Specific Example 3) Alternatively, a combination of the position information and the angle information of the two carts 20 at the start of an application (such as a game) and the mat ID may be associated with each other in a one-to-one manner in advance. In this case, on each of the two start positions on the mat 30, the carts 20 are placed one by one at respectively pre-specified angles, and when, for example, a start button included in the operation unit 122 is pressed, the mat information specifying unit 104 can specify the mat ID associated with the combination of the position information and the angle information respectively acquired by each of the two carts 20 from the mat 30 as the mat ID of the corresponding mat 30. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the position information acquired by the cart 20a from the first start position on the mat 30 is (5, 2), the angle of the cart 20a with respect to the mat 30 is "45 degrees", the position information acquired by the cart 20b from the second start position on the mat 30 is (10, 5), and the angle of the cart 20b with respect to the mat 30 is "0 degrees". In this case, the mat information specifying unit 104 specifies the mat ID "Mat23" associated with the combination of these pieces of information as the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the two carts 20 are placed. According to this specific example 3, the robustness of the determination of the mat ID can be improved.

[0053] (2-1-3-4. Specific Example 4) Alternatively, a start position or a start area where a mat ID is recorded (instead of the position information) may be printed on the mat 30. Alternatively, information (a character string or an image) indicating that it is a start area may be printed, and a sheet-like medium (such as paper or a sticker) on which a mat ID is recorded may be pasted on the mat 30.

[0054] In these cases, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the mat information specifying unit 104 can specify, as the mat ID of the corresponding mat 30, the mat ID read by the carriage 20 from the start area 42 (that is, the start area printed on the mat 30 or the sheet-like medium indicating that it is the start area pasted on the mat 30) at the timing when the carriage 20 is placed on the start area 42. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the start area 42 may be arranged within the mat 30, or as shown in FIG. 14, the start area 42 may be arranged outside the mat 30.

[0055] (2-1-3-5. Specific Example 5) Alternatively, the mat ID may be recorded on a predetermined unit area (for example, (0,0), etc.) within the mat 30. In this case, for example, when the mat ID has not been specified yet, as shown in FIGS. 15 or 16, the carriage 20 can first automatically move to the predetermined unit area 300. Then, the mat information specifying unit 104 can specify, as the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the carriage 20 is placed, the mat ID read by the carriage 20 from the predetermined unit area 300.

[0056] (2-1-3-6. Specific Example 6) Alternatively, in each individual unit area within the mat 30, coordinate values encoded using the position of the unit area and a predetermined function may be recorded. Furthermore, the combination of the encoded coordinate values associated with a plurality of consecutive unit areas and the mat ID may be associated one-to-one. In this case, for example, when the carriage 20 is placed at a predetermined start position in the mat 30, the carriage 20 can first automatically move through a plurality of consecutive unit areas. Then, the mat information specifying unit 104 can specify, as the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the carriage 20 is placed, the mat ID associated with the combination of the encoded coordinate values read by the carriage 20 from each of the plurality of consecutive unit areas.

[0057] Note that the direction of the plurality of consecutive unit areas is not particularly limited. For example, as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 17, the carriage 20 may be defined to move in the horizontal direction, may be defined to move in the vertical direction, or may be defined to move diagonally, as shown by the arrow B in FIG. 17.

[0058] {2-1-4. Operation control unit 106} The operation control unit 106 controls the operation of the carriage 20 based on the information about the carriage 20 (position information, angle information, or the sensing result of acceleration, etc.) acquired by the information acquisition unit 102 and the mat ID specified by the mat information specifying unit 104. For example, the operation control unit 106 controls the movement, display, and / or sound output of the carriage 20 based on the acquired information about the carriage 20 and the specified mat ID.

[0059] In addition, the operation control unit 106 controls the operation of the carriage 20 based on the user's operation information for the operation unit 122. For example, when the operation information indicates a moving direction, the operation control unit 106 moves the carriage 20 in the corresponding moving direction.

[0060] {2-1-5. Output control unit 108} The output control unit 108 controls the output of various information based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 102 and the mat ID specified by the mat information specifying unit 104. For example, the output control unit 108 causes the display unit 124 to display the display information (e.g., menu screen, status information of the corresponding application, or notification information, etc.) of the corresponding application acquired by the information acquisition unit 102. In addition, the output control unit 108 causes the audio output unit 126 to output the audio data (e.g., BGM (background music), warning sound, or effect sound, etc.) of the corresponding application acquired by the information acquisition unit 102.

[0061] {2-1-6. Communication unit 120} The communication unit 120 may be configured to include, for example, a communication device 166 described later. The communication unit 120 transmits and receives information to and from other devices (such as the cart 20). For example, the communication unit 120 transmits and receives information to and from each individual cart 20 by wireless communication (such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark)). As an example, the communication unit 120 transmits operation control information to the cart 20 according to the control of the operation control unit 106. Further, the communication unit 120 receives information (such as position information and acceleration) sensed by the cart 20 from the corresponding cart 20.

[0062] {2-1-7. Audio output unit 126} The audio output unit 126 may be configured to include, for example, an output device 162 described later. The audio output unit 126 outputs sound according to the control of the output control unit 108.

[0063] {2-1-8. Memory unit 130} The memory unit 130 may be configured to include, for example, a storage device 164 described later. The memory unit 130 stores various data and various software.

[0064] {2-1-9. Modification example} Note that the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is not limited to the example described above. For example, any one or more of the display unit 124, the audio output unit 126, and the cassette connection unit 128 may not be included in the information processing apparatus 10. As an example, the display unit 124 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a television receiver, etc., and in this case, the display unit 124 and the information processing apparatus 10 may be configured to be communicable by wired communication or wireless communication.

[0065] Also, in FIG. 1, an example in which the operation unit 122 is connected to the information processing apparatus 10 via a cable is shown, but the example is not limited thereto. The operation unit 122 and the information processing apparatus 10 may be separated and configured to be communicable by wireless communication (such as BLE or Wi-Fi (registered trademark)).

[0066] <2-2. Process Flow> The configuration according to the first embodiment has been described above. Next, the process flow according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow according to the first embodiment.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 18, first, the user connects the cassette to the cassette connection unit 128 of the information processing apparatus 10. Then, the cassette connection unit 128 reads out the data of the game application stored in the cassette. Subsequently, the control unit 100 starts the game application based on the read data (S101).

[0068] Thereafter, the user operates the operation unit 122 to move the carriage 20 placed on the mat 30. Then, the information acquisition unit 102 of the information processing apparatus 10 acquires the operation information received by the operation unit 122 by receiving it from the operation unit 122 (S103).

[0069] Subsequently, the operation control unit 106 generates control information for controlling the operation of the carriage 20 based on the acquired operation information. Then, the communication unit 120 transmits the control information to the corresponding carriage 20 according to the control of the operation control unit 106 (S105).

[0070] Thereafter, the carriage 20 moves on the mat 30 according to the received control information (S107). And each time the carriage 20 moves to another unit area, the carriage 20 reads the position information recorded in the unit area (S109). Then, the carriage 20 transmits the read position information and the identification information of the carriage 20 to the information processing apparatus 10 (S111).

[0071] Thereafter, the mat information specifying unit 104 of the information processing apparatus 10 specifies the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the corresponding carriage 20 is placed based on the received position information (S113).

[0072] Subsequently, the operation control unit 106 generates operation control information for controlling the operation of the corresponding cart 20 based on the position information received in S111 and the mat ID specified in S113 (S115). Then, the communication unit 120 transmits the operation control information to the corresponding cart 20 according to the control of the operation control unit 106 (S117).

[0073] After that, the corresponding cart 20 operates according to the received operation control information (S119).

[0074] <2-3. Effect> As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment can specify the mat ID of the corresponding mat 30 based on the information (such as position information) read by the cart 20 placed on the mat 30 from the mat 30. Therefore, even when different types of mats 30 are created for each type of game application, the information processing apparatus 10 can accurately specify the type of the mat 30 being used by the user. And appropriate processing can be executed according to the type of the mat 30.

[0075] <<3. Second Embodiment>> The first embodiment has been described above. Next, the second embodiment will be described. First, the background leading to the creation of the second embodiment will be described. As described above, basically, position information is recorded in each individual unit area in the mat 30.

[0076] By the way, as shown in FIG. 19, during the game, the cart 20 may move outside the mat 30. In such a case, since the cart 20 cannot acquire the position information, the information processing apparatus 10 also does not know the position information of the cart 20, and as a result, the continuation of the game may become difficult.

[0077] As will be described later, according to the second embodiment, when the cart 20 moves outside the mat 30, it is possible to appropriately return the cart 20 into the mat 30.

[0078] <3-1. Configuration> Next, the configuration according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment further includes an external force detection unit 110 as compared with the first embodiment (shown in FIG. 8). Hereinafter, only the components having functions different from those of the first embodiment will be described.

[0079] {3-1-1. External Force Detection Unit 110} The external force detection unit 110 detects the presence or absence of an external force on the carriage 20 and the degree of the strength of the external force based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 102. For example, the external force detection unit 110 detects the presence or absence of an external force and the degree of the strength of the external force based on the history of the values sensed by a motor rotation sensor (sensor unit 228) in the carriage 20. Alternatively, the external force detection unit 110 compares the value sensed by an acceleration sensor (sensor unit 228) in the carriage 20 with the estimated result of the moving speed of the carriage 20 (that is, the moving speed of the carriage 20 estimated based on the difference between the timing when the previous position information was acquired and the timing when the new position information was acquired), thereby detecting the presence or absence of an external force and the degree of the strength of the external force.

[0080] {3-1-2. Operation Control Unit 106} The operation control unit 106 according to the second embodiment controls the carriage 20 to automatically move to a predetermined position when there is an abnormality in the acquisition of the position information by the information acquisition unit 102. Alternatively, the operation control unit 106 controls the moving direction of the carriage 20 based on the moving direction of the carriage 20 immediately before an abnormality occurs in the acquisition of the position information by the information acquisition unit 102. Here, specific examples of the case where there is an abnormality in the acquisition of the position information include the case where the position information cannot be acquired (for example, when the carriage 20 moves outside the mat 30), the case where an inconsistency occurs in the relationship between the position information acquired before and after, or the case where the position information cannot be normally detected due to a malfunction of the sensor unit 228 of the carriage 20. For example, when it is determined that the carriage 20 has moved outside the mat 30, the operation control unit 106 controls the carriage 20 to move inside the mat 30.

[0081] (3-1-2-1. Control Example 1) As an example, when it is determined that the carriage 20 has moved outside the mat 30, as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 21, the operation control unit 106 may move the carriage 20 backward until the carriage 20 can acquire position information again.

[0082] (3-1-2-2. Control Example 2) Alternatively, when it is determined that the carriage 20 has moved outside the mat 30, as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 22, the operation control unit 106 may move the carriage 20 in an arc of a predetermined radius until the carriage 20 can acquire position information again. Alternatively, as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 23, the operation control unit 106 may move the carriage 20 in a spiral (for example, while gradually increasing the radius) until the carriage 20 can acquire position information again. According to this control example 2, for example, when the carriage 20 on which a toy 40 (such as a special creature) of an unnatural shape that is not natural to move backward is installed is located outside the mat 30, the carriage 20 can be moved into the mat 30 while giving the user a natural impression.

[0083] (3-1-2-3. Control Example 3) Alternatively, when it is determined that the carriage 20 has moved outside the mat 30, the operation control unit 106 first identifies the current positional relationship between the carriage 20 and the mat 30 based on the sensing result by the carriage 20 acquired by the information acquisition unit 102, and then, for example, as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 24, moves the carriage 20 according to the identified positional relationship until the carriage 20 can acquire position information again.

[0084] Hereinafter, a specific example of a method for specifying the positional relationship between the carriage 20 and the mat 30 will be described. For example, the operation control unit 106 may specify the current positional relationship between the carriage 20 and the mat 30 based on the history of the values sensed by the motor rotation sensor (sensor unit 228) in the carriage 20, which is acquired by the information acquisition unit 102. As an example, the operation control unit 106 may specify the current positional relationship between the carriage 20 and the mat 30 based on the position information last acquired by the carriage 20 and the history of the sensing results of the rotation speed of the motor in the carriage 20 from the timing when the carriage 20 acquired the position information.

[0085] Alternatively, the operation control unit 106 may further specify the current positional relationship between the carriage 20 and the mat 30 based on the detection result of the external force by the external force detection unit 110. For example, the operation control unit 106 may specify the current positional relationship between the carriage 20 and the mat 30 based on the position information last acquired by the carriage 20 and the degree of the strength of the external force detected by the external force detection unit 110 (for example, the amount of change in acceleration, etc.).

[0086] <3-2. Effect> As described above, when it is determined that the carriage 20 has moved outside the mat 30, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment can appropriately return the carriage 20 into the mat 30. Therefore, for example, even if the carriage 20 moves outside the mat 30 during the game, the game can be continued without problems.

[0087] <<4. Third Embodiment>> The second embodiment has been described above. Next, the third embodiment will be described. First, the background leading to the creation of the third embodiment will be described. As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 and the individual carriages 20 basically communicate by wireless communication. For this reason, if the connection between the information processing apparatus 10 and the carriage 20 is temporarily interrupted, the information processing apparatus 10 cannot control the carriage 20. Also, generally, the user cannot know that the connection between the information processing apparatus 10 and the carriage 20 is disconnected, so the user may be confused.

[0088] As will be described later, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to notify the user that the connection between the information processing apparatus 10 and the cart 20 has been disconnected.

[0089] <4-1. Cart 20> {4-1-1. Operation Example 1} When the connection between the cart 20 according to the third embodiment and the information processing apparatus 10 is disconnected, as shown in FIG. 25, it can automatically move to a predetermined area 310 in the mat 30. Here, the predetermined area 310 may be printed on the mat 30. As shown in FIG. 25, not only the area 310a at the time of occurrence of the pairing problem, but also, for example, the area 310b at the time of occurrence of battery shortage of the cart 20, the area 310c at the time of game over, and the area 310d at the time of occurrence of other abnormalities may be printed on the mat 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, for each area 310, an image or message indicating the type of the area 310 may be printed on the mat 30 in association with the area 310, or may be displayed on the display unit 124. Thereby, the user can know that an abnormality or the like is currently occurring and the type of the abnormality.

[0090] {4-1-2. Operation Example 2} Alternatively, the movement pattern of the cart 20 and the meaning indicated by the movement pattern may be associated in advance. For example, when the connection between the information processing apparatus 10 and the cart 20 is disconnected, the cart 20 may automatically move in a movement pattern associated with "disconnection of connection". Or, when the cart 20 is waiting for an instruction from the information processing apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 26, the cart 20 may automatically move in a tick-tock motion (like a clock). Or, when the battery of the cart 20 runs out, the cart 20 may automatically fall down.

[0091] <4-2. Effect> As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the connection between the information processing apparatus 10 and the cart 20 is disconnected, it is possible to notify the user that the connection has been disconnected.

[0092] <<5. Fourth Embodiment>> As described above, the third embodiment has been explained. Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. First, the background leading to the creation of the fourth embodiment will be explained.

[0093] Basically, the size of a single mat 30 is predetermined. Therefore, if a plurality of mats 30 can be joined as shown in, for example, FIG. 27, it is desirable because the user can freely expand the size of the mat 30.

[0094] However, basically the same position information is recorded in the same unit area within separate mats 30. For this reason, when the cart 20 straddles between mats 30, if the position information recorded in the mat 30 after movement is used as it is as the position information of the cart 20, the position of the cart 20 will be misrecognized. For example, as shown by point P2 in FIG. 28, when the cart 20 moves from one end (the upper end shown in FIG. 28) of mat 30a to one end of mat 30b, the cart 20 reads the same position information from mat 30b as the position information recorded at the other end (the lower end shown in FIG. 28) of mat 30a.

[0095] As will be described later, according to the fourth embodiment, even when a plurality of mats 30 are joined and the cart 20 straddles between mats 30, the position of the cart 20 can be accurately specified.

[0096] <5-1. Joining of Mats 30> In the fourth embodiment, when the user joins a plurality of mats 30, initial settings can be made to set the plurality of mats 30 as a single unit. For example, as the initial setting, the cart 20 can move continuously over all of the plurality of mats 30, for example, once, based on the control of the information processing device 10 or the operation of the user. Thereby, the information processing device 10 can recognize that the plurality of mats 30 are a single unit.

[0097] Note that, as shown in FIG. 29, it is desirable that holes that can be joined using a construction set are provided at the respective corners 32 of the respective mats 30. Thereby, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 29, the user can easily join or separate a plurality of mats 30.

[0098] <5-2. Configuration> Next, the configuration according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment may be the same as those in the second embodiment (shown in FIG. 20). Hereinafter, only the components having functions different from those of the second embodiment will be described.

[0099] {5-2-1. Control Unit 100} (5-2-1-1. Determination of Span between Mats 30) - Determination Example 1 The control unit 100 according to the fourth embodiment can determine whether the cart 20 has moved to another mat 30 based on the difference between the previously acquired position information and the newly acquired position information, and the detection result by the external force detection unit 110. For example, when the absolute value of the difference between the previously acquired position information and the newly acquired position information regarding the corresponding cart 20 is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and the external force detection unit 110 determines that no external force has been applied to the cart 20, the control unit 100 determines that the cart 20 has moved to another mat 30. In the example shown in FIG. 28, when the cart 20 reaches point P2, the control unit 100 determines that the cart 20 has moved from mat 30a to mat 30b.

[0100] Note that when it is determined that the cart 20 has moved to another mat 30, the information processing apparatus 10 can also specify the positional relationship (such as the angle between the mats 30) of the two mats 30 based on the previously acquired position information, the newly acquired position information, and the moving direction of the cart 20.

[0101] - Determination Example 2 Alternatively, the control unit 100 can also determine whether the carriage 20 has moved to another mat 30 based on the recognition result of the image captured by the position sensor 228a (sensor unit 228) of the carriage 20. For example, if it is recognized based on the captured image by the position sensor 228a that there is an area (gap) where the mat 30 does not exist directly below the position sensor 228a, and it is determined that the width of the gap falls within a predetermined range, the control unit 100 may determine that the carriage 20 has moved to another mat 30. Regarding whether the mat 30 exists directly below the position sensor 228a, it may be determined based on, for example, the change amount of the focal length of the position sensor 228a (camera).

[0102] (5-2-1-2. Judgment of connection with other mat 30) As described above, the position sensor 228a can be located at the end of the carriage 20. Therefore, when the carriage 20 reaches the end of the mat 30a during movement, the control unit 100 can also identify whether the mat 30a is connected to another mat 30b based on the recognition result of the image captured by the position sensor 228a. For example, as shown in FIG. 30, when it is recognized based on the recognition result of the image captured by the position sensor 228a that another mat 30b exists directly below the position sensor 228a at the timing when the center of the carriage 20 reaches the end of the mat 30a, the control unit 100 identifies that the mat 30a is connected to another mat 30b. Also, as shown in FIG. 31, when it is recognized based on the recognition result of the image captured by the position sensor 228a that another mat 30b does not exist directly below the position sensor 228a at the timing when the center of the carriage 20 reaches the end of the mat 30a, the control unit 100 identifies that the mat 30a is not connected to another mat 30b. According to this specific example, it is possible to prevent the carriage 20 from falling off the mat 30a.

[0103] <5-3. Effect> As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when a plurality of mats 30 are combined and the cart 20 moves between each of the plurality of mats 30, it is possible to accurately determine that the cart 20 has moved to another mat 30.

[0104] <<6. Fifth Embodiment>> The fourth embodiment has been described above. Next, the fifth embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the fifth embodiment will be described.

[0105] It is desirable that a user can add game objects (such as obstacles, zones, items, a course for a racing game, etc.) to an existing mat 30 because the degree of freedom of the game is improved. For example, as shown in FIG. 32, it is desirable that a user can add a polygon 50 corresponding to each object to the existing mat 30.

[0106] As will be described later, according to the fifth embodiment, a user can freely and easily add game objects (such as obstacles, zones, items, a course for a racing game, etc.) to an existing mat 30.

[0107] <6-1. Setting of Polygon> {6-1-1. Setting Example 1} First, a setting example of a polygon corresponding to an object according to the fifth embodiment will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, by moving the cart 20 on the mat 30, a polygon 50 corresponding to a game object can be added. As an example, each vertex of the polygon 50 may be added at the same position as or in the vicinity of the position of the cart 20 at the timing when the user presses the switch 222a of the cart 20 each time the user presses it. Alternatively, when the user moves the cart 20 on the mat 30 while pressing the switch 222a of the cart 20, the same position as or in the vicinity of the movement locus of the cart 20 may be set as the contour of the polygon 50. Note that the position information of the set polygon 50 can be stored in the storage unit 130.

[0108] {6-1-2. Setting Example 2} Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 34, for example, when in a predetermined setting mode, a plurality of carts 20 may be arranged on the mat 30. In this case, the same position or the vicinity of each of the positions of the plurality of carts 20 may be set as the position information of each vertex of the polygon 50.

[0109] Alternatively, a Bézier curve may be formed based on the detection results of the angles of each of the plurality of carts 20 arranged on the mat 30 with respect to the mat 30, and the position and shape of the polygon 50 may be determined based on the Bézier curve. For example, the angle of each individual cart 20 with respect to the mat 30 may be defined as the direction of each line segment of the polygon 50.

[0110] {6-1-3. Setting Example 3} Alternatively, particularly in the case of a racing game or the like, the course once set for the mat 30 may be dynamically changed by the user. For example, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 35, in a predetermined setting mode, first, the cart 20 automatically loops on the already set course. Then, when the cart 20 reaches a position where the user wishes to make a change (point A in the example shown in FIG. 35) on the course, the user picks up the cart 20 from the mat 30. Then, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 35, when the cart 20 is placed at a desired position on the mat 30 (point B in the example shown in FIG. 35), the shape of the course can be changed so as to pass through point B (instead of point A).

[0111] Regarding the case where the course is defined by a Bézier curve as well, the shape of the course can be changed by the same procedure. For example, when the cart 20 is looping on the already set course, the shape of the course may be changed by moving the cart 20 on the mat 30 while the user presses the switch 222a of the cart 20.

[0112] Also, as shown in FIG. 36, a user may be able to dynamically add new vertices (or points) to a once-set course. For example, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 36, in a predetermined setting mode, first, the carriage 20 automatically loops on the already-set course. Then, when the carriage 20 reaches the position where the user desires to add a vertex (point A shown in FIG. 36), if the user presses the switch 222a of the carriage 20, a new vertex may be added at the corresponding position on the course.

[0113] {6-1-4. Setting Example 4} (6-1-4-1. Paper or Sticker) Alternatively, a polygon 50 may be added when the user places a sheet-like medium on which special information different from the position information is recorded on the mat 30. Here, the sheet-like medium is an example of the second sheet-like medium according to the present disclosure. The special information may be a different type of arrangement pattern (second arrangement pattern) from the arrangement pattern (first arrangement pattern) printed on the mat 30 and associated with the position information. For example, the second arrangement pattern may be associated with the type of object. Alternatively, the second arrangement pattern may define control information regarding the operation of the carriage 20. For example, the control information includes information for controlling at least one of the moving speed, operation pattern, and rotational operation of the carriage 20. Also, the area of the second arrangement pattern is basically smaller than the area of the first pattern corresponding to the mat 30.

[0114] The sheet-like medium is, for example, paper or a sticker. For example, as shown in FIG. 37, the user cuts the paper (or sticker) 44a with scissors or a cutter into a desired shape, and then places the cut papers 44b and 44c at desired positions on the mat 30. Thereby, the placement areas of the papers 44b and 44c on the mat 30 each become areas where special information is recorded. For example, when the carriage 20 reaches the placement area of the paper 44b or the paper 44c, the carriage 20 can read the information recorded on the paper 44b or the paper 44c (instead of the position information).

[0115] For example, in the case of a racing game, as shown in FIG. 38, a sheet 44a on which information corresponding to the starting point is recorded and a sheet 44b on which information corresponding to the goal point is recorded are placed on the mat 30, so that the user can specify the starting point and the goal point in the racing game.

[0116] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 39, sheets 44 on which information indicating various items (such as bananas, ice, oil, puddles, etc.) are recorded may be placed in the course of the racing game. In this case, when the carriage 20 reaches these sheets 44, the operation control unit 106 can control the movement of the carriage 20 to spin. Alternatively, sheets on which information about special items for increasing or decreasing the speed of the carriage 20 is recorded may be further placed in the course.

[0117] Alternatively, in the case of an RPG (role-playing game), a sheet on which information indicating a treasure box, a sheet on which information indicating a trap, etc. are recorded may be placed on the mat 30.

[0118] (6-1-4-2. Transparent Sticker) Furthermore, for example, by using an infrared filter or the like, it is also possible to create a transparent sticker 44 on which special information is recorded. As shown in FIG. 37, by placing the transparent sticker 44 on the mat 30, it is possible to add special information on the mat 30 without reducing the visibility of the background image (i.e., the image printed on the mat 30).

[0119] (6-1-4-3. Calculation of Position Information) Note that, as shown in FIG. 40, when the carriage 20 moves on the sheet-like medium 44 on which special information is recorded (since the mat 30 is covered with the sheet-like medium 44), the carriage 20 temporarily becomes unable to acquire position information. For this reason, the information processing device 10 may not know the position information of the carriage 20.

[0120] Therefore, when the position information is no longer received from the carriage 20, the information acquisition unit 102 may virtually specify the current position information of the carriage 20 based on the position information last received from the carriage 20 and other types of sensing results received from the carriage 20. For example, the information acquisition unit 102 may virtually specify the current position information of the carriage 20 based on the position information last received from the carriage 20 and the history of the sensing results of the rotation speed of the motor in the carriage 20 from the timing when the carriage 20 acquired the position information.

[0121] <6-2. Effect> As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, a user can freely and easily add game objects (such as obstacles, zones, items, a course of a racing game, etc.) to the existing mat 30.

[0122] <<7. Sixth Embodiment>> The fifth embodiment has been described above. Next, the sixth embodiment will be described. As will be described later, according to the sixth embodiment, an RPG (Role Playing Game) can be realized using a plurality of mats 30.

[0123] <7-1. Configuration of Book> In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 41, the book 70 is configured by forming each page with the mat 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 41, descriptions may be written on individual left pages included in the book 70, and game pages may be written on individual right pages. For example, it may be instructed to transition to "page 22" when a failure occurs in a predetermined event, or it may be instructed to transition to "page 50" when the game is cleared. Thereby, a book 70 such as "Choose your own adventure" can be configured. The user can enjoy the RPG by repeating the operations of turning the pages and moving the carriage 20 on the turned pages.

[0124] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 41, holes 700 may be formed at the edges of some or all of the pages (mat 30). Thus, when the carriage 20 moving on a certain page falls into the hole 700 in the page, the user can easily turn the page to the destination page.

[0125] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 42, it is desirable that an inclination is provided around the hole 700. Thereby, when turning the page, the carriage 20 can easily move (escape) from the hole 700 in the turned page.

[0126] <<8. Seventh Embodiment>> Above, the sixth embodiment has been described. Next, the seventh embodiment will be described. First, the background leading to the creation of the seventh embodiment will be described. During the game, it is also assumed that some users may cheat or interfere with others. For example, as shown in FIG. 43, it is also assumed that some users may arbitrarily touch or move their own or the opponent's carriage 20. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to appropriately determine such improper behavior.

[0127] As will be described later, according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not an improper act has been committed.

[0128] <8-1. Configuration> Next, the configuration according to the seventh embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the seventh embodiment may be the same as those in the second embodiment (shown in FIG. 20). Hereinafter, only the components having functions different from those of the second embodiment will be described.

[0129] {8-1-1. External Force Detection Unit 110} When the external force detection unit 110 according to the seventh embodiment detects that an external force has been applied to the carriage 20, it is further possible to determine whether the external force is caused by a human hand or by another object (for example, an object placed on the mat 30). For example, when it is determined that the moving direction of the carriage 20 specified from the value sensed by the acceleration sensor (sensor unit 228) in the carriage 20 is opposite to the moving direction specified from the value sensed by the motor rotation sensor (sensor unit 228) in the carriage 20, the external force detection unit 110 determines that the external force is caused by a human hand. Specific examples of such cases include when the motor in the carriage 20 tries to move forward but the carriage 20 is actually moved backward by a human hand.

[0130] <8-2. Effect> As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not fraud has been committed on the carriage 20 during the game.

[0131] <<9. Eighth Embodiment>> The seventh embodiment has been described above. Next, the eighth embodiment will be described. First, the background leading to the creation of the eighth embodiment will be described. It is also desired that the user can select a desired game from among a plurality of types of games. Further, it is desirable that the user can intuitively select the desired game.

[0132] As will be described later, according to the eighth embodiment, the user can intuitively select a desired game from among a plurality of types of games.

[0133] <9-1. Configuration> In the eighth embodiment, a sheet 72 printed with a "game selection menu" as shown in FIG. 44 can be used. The game selection menu may include a plurality of game selection areas 720 and selection areas 722 for other functions, respectively. Information (such as an array pattern) corresponding to each of the game selection area 720 and the selection area 722 for other functions is recorded therein, and the cart 20 may be able to read the information.

[0134] For example, as shown in FIG. 44, when the user places the cart 20 located outside the sheet 72 on the selection area 720c of Game 3, the cart 20 reads the information recorded in the area 720c, and the information processing apparatus 10 may identify that "Game 3" has been selected by receiving the information from the cart 20. Then, the information processing apparatus 10 may start "Game 3".

[0135] Alternatively, the cart 20 may automatically move on the sheet 72 based on a predetermined algorithm (for example, randomly selecting a game, etc.). In this case, the information processing apparatus 10 may receive the information read by the cart 20 from the sheet 72 at the position where the cart 20 stops, and may identify that the game corresponding to the information has been selected.

[0136] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 44, the selection areas 722 for other functions include, for example, a power ON / OFF switching area 722a, an application update area 722b, a charging start area 722c, or a volume adjustment area 722d. For example, when the cart 20 is placed on the power ON / OFF switching area 722a, the information processing apparatus 10 may switch the power of the cart 20 (and / or the information processing apparatus 10) ON / OFF. Alternatively, when the cart 20 is placed on the application update area 722b, the information processing apparatus 10 may start updating a predetermined application stored in the information processing apparatus 10 (e.g., via a communication network such as the Internet). Alternatively, when the cart 20 is placed on the charging start area 722c, the information processing apparatus 10 may move the cart 20 to a predetermined charging stand. Note that the "game selection menu" may be printed on a specific mat 30 instead of the paper 72.

[0137] <9-2. Effect> As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the user can intuitively and easily select a desired game from among a plurality of types of games.

[0138] <<10. Ninth Embodiment>> The eighth embodiment has been described above. Next, the ninth embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the ninth embodiment will be described. As described with reference to FIG. 2 and the like, for example, due to mechanical or electrical reasons, the position sensor 228a (of the cart 20) can be attached so as to be separated from the center of the cart 20 in the horizontal direction. For this reason, the position information read by the cart 20 from the mat 30 and the position information corresponding to the center of the cart 20 can be significantly different. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 45, the position information 320 corresponding to the position sensor 228a is (7, 3), whereas the position information 322 corresponding to the center of the cart 20 is (5, 5). Therefore, since the position information of the cart 20 recognized by the information processing apparatus 10 and the position information of the cart 20 recognized by the user can be significantly different, for example, the user may be confused or feel inconvenient during the game.

[0139] As will be described later, according to the ninth embodiment, it is possible to specify the position information corresponding to the approximate center of the carriage 20 based on the position information sensed by the carriage 20.

[0140] <10-1. Configuration> Next, the configuration according to the ninth embodiment will be described. FIG. 46 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the ninth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 46, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the ninth embodiment further includes a position information correction unit 112 as compared with the second embodiment (shown in FIG. 20). Hereinafter, only the components having functions different from those of the second embodiment will be described.

[0141] {10-1-1. Position Information Correction Unit 112} The position information correction unit 112 corrects the position information acquired from the carriage 20 based on the attachment position of the position sensor 228a with respect to the carriage 20. For example, the position information correction unit 112 corrects the position information acquired from the carriage 20 to the position information corresponding to the approximate center of the carriage 20 specified from the attachment position of the position sensor 228a. As an example, as shown in FIG. 47, the distances in the x-direction and y-direction between the attachment position of the position sensor 228a and the center point of the carriage 20 can be specified in advance, for example, at the time of designing the carriage 20. In this case, as shown in FIG. 48, the position information correction unit 112 first corrects the x-coordinate acquired from the carriage 20 using the distance in the x-direction between the attachment position of the position sensor 228a and the center point of the carriage 20, and then corrects the y-coordinate acquired from the carriage 20 using the distance in the y-direction between the attachment position of the position sensor 228a and the center point of the carriage 20. Thereby, the position information corresponding to the approximate center of the carriage 20 is acquired.

[0142] {10-1-2. Operation Control Unit 106} The operation control unit 106 according to the ninth embodiment controls the operation of the carriage 20 based on the position information of the carriage 20 corrected by the position information correction unit 112.

[0143] <10-2. Effect> As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the ninth embodiment corrects the position information acquired from the carriage 20 to the position information corresponding to the approximate center of the carriage 20. For this reason, since the position information of the carriage 20 recognized by the information processing apparatus 10 and the position information of the carriage 20 recognized by the user are substantially the same, the user can play the game without problems.

[0144] <<11. Tenth Embodiment>> As described above, the ninth embodiment has been described. Next, the tenth embodiment will be described. First, the background leading to the creation of the tenth embodiment will be described. For example, when the number of operation units 122 and carriages 20 used in the same environment increases, the user may not be able to understand the correspondence between each operation unit 122 and each carriage 20. Also, the user may not be able to understand which of the plurality of carriages 20 is the carriage 20 to be operated by the user. As a result, the user may misidentify another carriage 20b as the carriage to be operated by the user and operate it (for example, may place the toy 40 on another carriage 20b without permission).

[0145] As will be described later, according to the tenth embodiment, it is possible for the user to easily associate each operation unit 122 with each carriage 20.

[0146] <11-1. Pairing> In the tenth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49, special information (such as an array pattern) is printed on each operation unit 122, or a sheet-like medium (such as paper or a sticker) on which the special information is recorded can be pasted. In this case, when the user approaches or touches the carriage 20 with respect to the area 44 where the special information is printed (or the area where the sheet-like medium on which the special information is recorded is pasted), the carriage 20 can read the special information and transmit the read information to the information processing apparatus 10. Then, the information processing apparatus 10 can pair the corresponding operation unit 122 and the corresponding carriage 20 based on the received information.

[0147] <11-2.Output control unit 108> For each pair of the paired carts 20 and operation units 122, the display unit 224 (such as an LED) of the cart 20 and the display unit (such as an LED or an LCD) installed in the operation unit 122 may emit light in the same color or the same blinking pattern.

[0148] <11-3.Effect> As described above, according to the 11th embodiment, the user can easily associate each operation unit 122 with each cart 20. Furthermore, the correspondence between each operation unit 122 and each cart 20 can also be notified to the user.

[0149] <<12.11th Embodiment>> The 10th embodiment has been described above. Next, the 11th embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the 11th embodiment will be described. It is also desired that a soccer game can be realized using a plurality of carts 20 arranged on the mat 30.

[0150] By the way, in a known robot soccer game, the ball is often recognized based on the recognition of a captured image by a camera. However, such a camera and image recognition system can increase the design cost.

[0151] Furthermore, in many cases, a single user can only operate one robot player. Therefore, a method in which a computer automatically controls the movement of other robot players can be considered. In this case, however, it is desired that the other robot players can operate appropriately during the game.

[0152] As will be described later, according to the 11th embodiment, a soccer game can be realized at low cost using a plurality of carts 20 arranged on the mat 30.

[0153] <12-1.Game platform> First, the game platform according to the eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 50. As shown in FIG. 50, at least two player carts 20 and a ball cart 24 can be arranged on the mat 30. The player cart 20 can be the normal cart (described above). As will be described later, the ball cart 24 can be a cart with a special shape.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 50, a player-shaped toy 40 can be arranged on the player cart 20. A ball-shaped toy 40c can be arranged on the ball cart 24. For example, the user can move the player cart 20 to cause the toy 40 on the player cart 20 to collide with the toy 40c on the ball cart 24. As a result, as will be described later, the ball cart 24 can move physically or under the control of the information processing device 10 in response to the collision. Also, as shown in FIG. 50, an illustration of a soccer field can be printed on the mat 30.

[0155] {12-1-1. Ball Cart 24} FIG. 51 is an example of a bottom view of the ball cart 24. As in the ball carts 24a and 24b shown in FIG. 51, a plurality of omni wheels 256 may be installed on the bottom surface of the ball cart 24. Thereby, the ball cart 24 can move smoothly in any direction.

[0156] Alternatively, as in the ball cart 24c shown in FIG. 51, a fan 258 may be installed on the bottom surface of the ball cart 24, and the ball cart 24 may be configured to be able to hover based on the rotation of the fan 258. For example, when the ball cart 24 is floating, the information processing device 10 forcibly stops the rotation of the fan 258 of the ball cart 24. As a result, the ball cart 24 falls, so that a movement such that the ball bounces can be realized.

[0157] Alternatively, like the ball cart 24d shown in FIG. 51, wheels or the like may not be installed on the bottom surface of the ball cart 24, and a predetermined paint may be applied so that the friction coefficient of the bottom surface is reduced. Thereby, when the player cart 20 collides with the ball cart 24, the ball cart 24 can slide on the mat 30.

[0158] <12-2. Configuration> Next, the configuration according to the 11th embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the 11th embodiment may be the same as those in the 9th embodiment (shown in FIG. 46). Hereinafter, only the components having functions different from those in the 9th embodiment will be described.

[0159] {12-2-1. Operation Control Unit 106} (12-2-1-1. Control for Player Cart 20) The operation control unit 106 according to the 11th embodiment moves the player cart 20 based on the user's operation on the operation unit 122 associated with the player cart 20, for example, for each player cart 20 associated with the operation unit 122. Further, the operation control unit 106 controls the operations of individual player carts 20 not associated with the operation unit 122 based on the position information acquired from the ball cart 24 and, for example, a predetermined algorithm or the result of machine learning.

[0160] In the example shown in FIG. 52, it is assumed that no user is operating the player cart 20b and the role of the goalkeeper is set for the player cart 20b. In this case, the operation control unit 106 may move the player cart 20b only in one direction (the x direction in the example shown in FIG. 52) following the movement of the player cart 20a corresponding to the opponent's offensive player. That is, the operation control unit 106 may sequentially move the player cart 20b so that the x coordinate of the player cart 20b is always approximately the same as the x coordinate of the player cart 20a.

[0161] (12-2-1-2. Control for Ball Cart 24) Furthermore, the operation control unit 106 can control the operation of the ball carriage 24 according to the detection result of the collision of the player carriage 20 against the ball carriage 24. For example, the operation control unit 106 moves the ball carriage 24 at a distance, a moving direction, and a speed according to the sensing results such as the collision position, the collision direction, and the acceleration at the time of the collision of the player carriage 20 against the ball carriage 24. Thereby, the ball carriage 24 can be moved as if it was actually kicked.

[0162] Alternatively, (as described above) the information processing apparatus 10 may not control the movement of the ball carriage 24. In this case, when the player carriage 20 collides with the ball carriage 24, the ball carriage 24 physically moves on the mat 30 in response to the collision.

[0163] {12-2-2. Control Unit 100} The control unit 100 according to the eleventh embodiment can determine the presence or absence of "foul play" based on the detection results of the collisions of a plurality of player carriages 20 during the soccer game. For example, as shown in FIG. 53, it is assumed that the player carriage 20b being operated by a certain user (hereinafter referred to as "Player 2") (or being controlled by the information processing apparatus 10) has been detected to have moved in a direction (arrow C shown in FIG. 53) different from the direction (arrow B shown in FIG. 53) indicated by Player 2 (or the information processing apparatus 10). As an example, the control unit 100 compares the moving direction indicated by the operation information of Player 2 with respect to the player carriage 20b (or the control information of the information processing apparatus 10) with the moving direction specified from the sensing result of the acceleration sensor in the player carriage 20b, thereby detecting that the player carriage 20b has moved in a direction different from the direction indicated by Player 2 (or the information processing apparatus 10).

[0164] In this case, the control unit 100 may determine that the user (Player 1) operating the player's cart 20a that has come into contact with the player's cart 20b has committed a "foul play". For example, the control unit 100 may determine that the user operating the player's cart 20a has committed a "foul play" only when the team corresponding to the player's cart 20a (which has come into contact with the player's cart 20b) is different from the team corresponding to the player's cart 20b.

[0165] <12-3. Effect> As described above, according to the 11th embodiment, a soccer game can be inexpensively realized using the plurality of carts 20 arranged on the mat 30. Furthermore, during the soccer game, one or more player carts 20 that the user is not operating can be automatically and appropriately moved.

[0166] <<13. 12th Embodiment>> The 11th embodiment has been described above. Next, the 12th embodiment will be described. As will be described later, according to the 12th embodiment, as shown in FIG. 54, a racing game using the plurality of carts 20 arranged on the mat 30 can be realized.

[0167] <13-1. Configuration> First, the configuration according to the 12th embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the 12th embodiment may be the same as those in the 9th embodiment (shown in FIG. 46). Hereinafter, only the components having functions different from those in the 9th embodiment will be described.

[0168] {13-1-1. Operation Control Unit 106} (13-1-1-1. Operation Control When Passing Through a Special Area) The operation control unit 106 according to the 12th embodiment controls the operation of the carriage 20 based on control information corresponding to the arrangement pattern read by the carriage 20 from a sheet-like medium (paper or sticker) placed on the mat 30. The sheet-like medium may record an arrangement pattern associated with the assignment of an item (e.g., "speed up", "obstacle", or "weapon", etc.) to the carriage 20.

[0169] For example, as shown in FIG. 55, when the carriage 20 passes over the sticker 44a corresponding to "speed up", the operation control unit 106 controls the carriage 20 based on the information read by the carriage 20 from the sticker 44a so that the speed of the carriage 20 becomes faster. Or, when the carriage 20 passes over the sticker 44b corresponding to "weapon", the operation control unit 106 stores in the storage unit 130 that the carriage 20 has acquired the corresponding "weapon" based on the information read by the carriage 20 from the sticker 44b.

[0170] Or, when the carriage 20 passes over the sticker 44 (or a predetermined area within the mat 30) corresponding to "obstacle", the operation control unit 106 controls the carriage 20 to rotate, reduce the speed, or slip based on the information read by the carriage 20 from the sticker 44 (or the predetermined area within the mat 30). For example, as shown in FIG. 56, when the carriage 20 passes over the sticker 44c corresponding to "oil", the operation control unit 106 controls the carriage 20 to slip. Also, when the carriage 20 reaches the "rattle zone" 46 defined within the mat 30, the operation control unit 106 controls the movement of the carriage 20 to rattle (continuously) while it is recognized that the carriage 20 is located within the rattle zone 46.

[0171] (13-1-1-2. Game start control) As another control example, the operation control unit 106 may control not to start the racing game until, for example, all the carts 20 placed on the mat 30 read the position information from the mat 30 (for example, the operation control unit 106 may suppress the movement of all the carts 20). Or, the operation control unit 106 may control not to start the racing game unless all the carts 20 participating in the racing game are located at a predetermined starting position on the mat 30. Or, the operation control unit 106 may control not to start the racing game unless the start sound of the racing game is output from, for example, the voice output unit 126.

[0172] (13-1-1-3. Attack Control) As another control example, the cart 20a holds an item of some "weapon", and when the user presses a predetermined button (for example, "attack button", etc.) on the operation unit 122 (associated with the cart 20a), the operation control unit 106 can determine the success or failure of an attack on the other cart 20b according to the positional relationship between the other cart 20b and the cart 20a (for example, the direction of the cart 20a with respect to the cart 20b and the distance between the carts 20) and the type of the "weapon". Further, when it is determined that the attack on the cart 20b is successful (for example, the "weapon" hits the cart 20b), as shown in FIG. 57, the operation control unit 106 can control the operation of the cart 20b as if the cart 20b has been attacked. For example, the operation control unit 106 controls the rotation of the motor in the cart 20b to spin. Note that the positional relationship between the cart 20b and the cart 20a can be specified based on the position information and angle information of each cart 20.

[0173] {13-1-2. Output Control Unit 108} When the cart 20 holds an item (such as a "weapon"), the output control unit 108 according to the 12th embodiment may cause the display unit 124 to display information indicating the type of the item. Alternatively, the output control unit 108 may cause the display unit 224 of the cart 20 to emit light, or may cause the display unit (such as an LED) in the operation unit 122 associated with the cart 20 to emit light, according to the type of the item. For example, the output control unit 108 may change the color or the light emission pattern of the light emitted by the display unit 224 of the cart 20 and / or the display unit in the operation unit 122 according to the type of the item held by the cart 20.

[0174] {13-1-3. Change of setting information} (13-1-3-1. Designation of environmental conditions) Note that, for example, based on a user operation on the touch menu 54 as shown in FIG. 58, the user may be able to change the environmental conditions (such as weather, climate, or stage) during the race game. For example, in the touch menu 54, the user may be able to specify the slipperiness of the course and the ease of acceleration. Further, in the touch menu 54, the user may be able to select the type of the course (such as a mud course, a dirt course, an ice course, or a space course). Further, in the touch menu 54, the user may be able to specify the weather (such as sunny or rainy) and the wind strength during the race game.

[0175] When environmental conditions are specified in the touch menu 54, the operation control unit 106 can control the operations of all the carts 20 during the race game based on the specified environmental conditions (such as weather, climate, or stage). Further, the output control unit 108 may cause the display unit 124 to display information (such as a character string or an image) indicating the specified environmental conditions.

[0176] As shown in FIG. 58, the touch menu 54 can be printed on paper (such as a card). In this case, among the regions 540 corresponding to the individual environmental conditions in the touch menu 54, the user approaches the cart 20 to the region 540 corresponding to the desired environmental condition, and the information recorded in the region 540 is read by the cart 20, whereby the environmental condition may be set. Alternatively, a screen corresponding to the touch menu 54 may be displayed on the display unit 124. In this case, the environmental condition may be set based on the user's operation on the screen.

[0177] (13-1-3-2. Specification of difficulty level) Alternatively, for example, using a menu screen or a predetermined card, etc., the user may be able to specify the difficulty level of the racing game. Here, the specification regarding the difficulty level may be, for example, to select any one from among "easy", "standard", and "difficult", or alternatively, for example, to select any one from among "50cc", "100cc", and "150cc".

[0178] When the said "specification regarding the difficulty level" is made, the operation control unit 106 may limit the maximum value of the rotational speed of the motor of all the carts 20 during the racing game according to the specified difficulty level. Thereby, the difficulty of the racing game can be changed.

[0179] <13-2. Effect> As described above, according to the twelfth embodiment, a racing game using a plurality of carts 20 arranged on the mat 30 can be realized.

[0180] <<14. The thirteenth embodiment>> The above described the 12th embodiment. Next, the 13th embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the 13th embodiment will be explained. It is also desired that a battle game can be realized using a plurality of carts 20 arranged on the mat 30. This battle game can be a game in which a player wins when they first push the opponent's cart 20 off the mat 30 (or a predetermined area on the mat 30), or when they first topple the opponent's cart 20. In this battle game, the difficulty level of the game can vary depending on the shape of the toy 40 placed on each cart 20. Therefore, if the user can freely select (or create) the toy 40 placed on the cart 20, the degree of freedom in strategy is improved.

[0181] By the way, if a human determines the outcome of a battle game, a situation may occur where it is difficult to determine which cart 20 won. For this reason, there may be cases where other users feel that the determination result is unfair.

[0182] As will be described later, according to the 13th embodiment, when a battle game is played using a plurality of carts 20 arranged on the mat 30, the outcome can be appropriately determined.

[0183] <14-1. Configuration> First, the configuration according to the 13th embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the 13th embodiment may be the same as those in the 9th embodiment (shown in FIG. 46). Hereinafter, only the components having functions different from those in the 9th embodiment will be described.

[0184] {14-1-1. Control Unit 100} The control unit 100 according to the 13th embodiment can determine the victory or defeat of the plurality of carts 20 based on the sensing information acquired from the plurality of carts 20 in which a battle game is being played. For example, as shown in FIG. 59, the control unit 100 identifies that the cart 20a has fallen based on the measurement result of the acceleration sensor (sensor unit 228) in the cart 20a, and determines that the cart 20a has lost (that is, the cart 20b has won). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 60, the control unit 100 identifies that the cart 20b has been pushed out of the mat 30 (while the cart 20a is located within the mat 30) based on the history of the position information read by the cart 20b, and determines that the cart 20b has lost (that is, the cart 20a has won).

[0185] Note that instead of simply having the user operate each individual cart 20 to conduct a battle, as shown in FIG. 61, a battle may be conducted by having each individual cart 20 continue to rotate. In this case, the UX (User experience) can be improved by the toy 40 (such as its shape) arranged on the cart 20. Note that it is desirable to rotate only the toy 40 arranged on the cart 20 (while the cart 20 itself does not rotate). Furthermore, the speed of the rotation may be changed by rapid-fire operation on the operation unit 122.

[0186] {14-1-2. Operation control unit 106} The operation control unit 106 according to the 13th embodiment can control the operation of each individual cart 20 based on the attribute information associated with each individual cart 20 in which a battle game is being played. For example, the operation control unit 106 controls the operation of each individual cart 20 based on the stamina value associated with each individual cart 20. As an example, when the stamina value associated with the cart 20a is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold and the cart 20a collides with another cart 20b, as shown in FIG. 62, the operation control unit 106 automatically controls the cart 20a to move in the same direction as the moving direction of the cart 20b (regardless of the user's operation on the cart 20a). Thereby, it is possible to virtually represent that the cart 20a has insufficient stamina.

[0187] Note that the stamina value associated with the carriage 20 may be decreased according to, for example, the length of the rotation time of the motor in the carriage 20. For example, when the motor in the carriage 20 rotates at 100% power, the longer the duration of the rotation of the motor, the more gradually the stamina value associated with the carriage 20 may be decreased.

[0188] {14-1-3. Change of Attribute Information} Note that, for example, by bringing the carriage 20 into contact with or approaching the attribute card 56 as shown in FIG. 63, the attribute information associated with the carriage 20 may be changed. More specifically, when the carriage 20 reads the arrangement pattern recorded on the attribute card 56, the attribute information corresponding to the arrangement pattern may be newly associated with the carriage 20. As shown in FIG. 63, the attribute card 56 may have a plurality of character areas 560 and skill areas 562, respectively. When the carriage 20 comes into contact with or approaches any one of the plurality of character areas 560, the attribute information corresponding to the corresponding area 560 may be newly associated with the carriage 20. In the example shown in FIG. 63, the attribute information corresponding to the character area 560a indicates that the speed is fast and the force is weak. The attribute information corresponding to the character area 560b indicates that the force is strong and the stamina is low. Also, when the carriage 20 comes into contact with or approaches any one of the plurality of skill areas 562, the attribute information indicating that the skill (or magic or weapon) corresponding to the corresponding area 562 can be used at least once may be newly associated with the carriage 20. For example, the attribute information indicates that magic such as water, ice, or fire can be used. Note that (instead of using the attribute card 56), a setting screen corresponding to the attribute card 56 may be displayed on the display unit 124, for example. In this case, for each carriage 20, the attribute information associated with the carriage 20 may be changed based on an operation on the setting screen.

[0189] (14-1-3-1. Modification Example) As a modification, as shown in FIG. 64, different arrangement patterns (special information) 582 may be printed on each side 580 of the attribute card 58. Alternatively, the same arrangement pattern 582 may be printed on both sides 580 of the attribute card 58.

[0190] Or, different arrangement patterns (special information) 582 may be recorded on each of a plurality of attribute cards 58 on which the same illustration is printed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 65, the user can play while associating attribute information with the carriage 20 without knowing what attribute information is associated with each individual attribute card 58 (a game like a card game). Note that each of the above-described setting methods for attribute information is similarly applicable to the twelfth embodiment (race game).

[0191] <14-2. Effect> As described above, according to the thirteenth embodiment, a battle game using a plurality of carriages 20 arranged on the mat 30 can be realized. Furthermore, the victory or defeat in the battle game can be automatically and appropriately determined.

[0192] <<15. Fourteenth Embodiment>> The thirteenth embodiment has been described above. Next, the fourteenth embodiment will be described. As will be described later, according to the fourteenth embodiment, the user can set the game rules with a high degree of freedom.

[0193] In the 14th embodiment, for example, based on the user's operation on the rule selection menu 60 shown in FIG. 66, the user can select the rules of the game. As shown in FIG. 66, as the conditions for winning or losing the game, for example, falling, dropping from the mat 30, or moving outside the mat 30 may be selectable. Further, regarding the players of the game, for example, only one user, two users, a combination of one user and one computer player, a combination of one user and three computer players, or a combination of two users and two computer players may be selectable. Further, regarding the mat 30, for example, the use of "mat A", the use of "mat B", the use of the combination of "mat A", "mat B", and "mat C", or not using the mat 30 at all may be selectable. Further, regarding the operation settings, for example, a wheel control mode, a user control mode, etc. may be selectable. Further, regarding the computer settings (for example, settings regarding computer players), for example, automatically escaping, automatically tracking, or randomly moving may be selectable.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 66, the rule selection menu 60 can be printed on paper (such as a card). In this case, among the regions 600 corresponding to the individual rules in the rule selection menu 60, the user approaches the cart 20 to the region 600 corresponding to the desired rule, and the information recorded in the region 600 is read by the cart 20, whereby the rules of the game may be set. Or, a screen corresponding to the rule selection menu 60 may be displayed on the display unit 124, and the rules of the game may be set based on the user's operation on the screen.

[0195] As described above, according to the 14th embodiment, the user can set the rules of the game with a high degree of freedom.

[0196] <<16. 15th Embodiment>> The above described the 14th embodiment. Next, the 15th embodiment will be described. As will be described later, according to the 15th embodiment, a maze game including educational elements can be realized using the carriage 20 and the mat 30.

[0197] <16-1. Overview> FIG. 67 is a diagram showing an example of a maze game according to the 15th embodiment. As shown in FIG. 67, in this maze game, a mat 30 on which an illustration of a maze is printed and a plurality of types of tiles 62 for controlling the movement of the carriage 20 on the mat 30 can be used. For example, first, the user places a single carriage 20b at the start position within the mat 30. Then, as shown in FIG. 67, the user forms a command sequence 64 by arranging one or more of the predetermined tiles 62 in a row. After that, when the user places a single carriage 20a at one end of the command sequence 64, the carriage 20a automatically moves on the command sequence 64 and reads the commands (control information) recorded on the individual tiles 62 included in the command sequence 64. Then, the movement of the carriage 20b is controlled based on the read commands.

[0198] FIG. 68 is a diagram showing an example of the tile 62. As shown in FIG. 68, for example, tiles 62 of types such as (square) move back 62a, move forward one square 62b, rotate left 62c, rotate right 62d, play 62e, and sequence start 62f can be prepared.

[0199] <16-2. Configuration> Next, the configuration according to the 15th embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the 15th embodiment may be the same as those in the 9th embodiment (shown in FIG. 46). Hereinafter, only the components having functions different from those in the 9th embodiment will be described.

[0200] {16-2-1. Operation control unit 106} The operation control unit 106 according to the 15th embodiment moves another carriage 20b on the mat 30 according to a series of commands read by the carriage 20a from the command sequence 64. For example, when the reproduction tile 62e is included in the command sequence 64 and it is detected that the carriage 20a has reached the reproduction tile 62e, the operation control unit 106 moves the carriage 20b according to each of the one or more commands in the order of the one or more commands read by the carriage 20a in the command sequence 64 until the detection time.

[0201] Note that in the mat 30, the same position information may be recorded for each square. Thereby, for example, even when the rotation parameter of the motor in the carriage 20 is different from the standard value, the carriage 20 can be accurately moved in units of one square on the mat 30.

[0202] {16-2-2. Control unit 100} The control unit 100 according to the 15th embodiment can determine the victory or defeat of the user based on a preset rule and the movement of the carriage 20b on the mat 30. For example, when the carriage 20b passes through the "wall" defined on the corresponding maze, when the carriage 20b reaches the "fire" mark before reaching the "water" mark, when the carriage 20b reaches the "monster" mark before reaching the "sword" mark, and when the carriage 20b reaches the "treasure chest" mark before reaching the "key" mark, etc., the control unit 100 determines that the user has lost. Also, when the carriage 20b reaches the "treasure chest" mark without meeting all of the above conditions, the control unit 100 determines that the user has won (i.e., the game has been cleared).

[0203] <16-3. Effect> As described above, according to the 15th embodiment, the movement of the carriage 20 in the maze game is controlled based on a command sequence composed of one or more tiles arranged by the user. That is, in order to clear the maze game, the user needs to arrange a plurality of different types of tiles in an appropriate order according to the type of the maze. Thus, according to the 15th embodiment, a maze game including elements of education (such as programming) can be realized using the carriage 20 and the mat 30.

[0204] <<17. 16th Embodiment>> The 15th embodiment has been described above. Next, the 16th embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the 16th embodiment will be described. Conventionally, there have been few games that include both elements of play and elements of puzzles.

[0205] As will be described later, according to the 16th embodiment, a "Castle Crush" game using the carriage 20 and a construction set can be realized. The castle destruction game can include both elements of play and elements of puzzles.

[0206] In the castle destruction game according to the 16th embodiment, for example, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 69, first, the user assembles a castle 66a using blocks. Then, the user places the carriage 20a on the assembled castle 66a. After that, the user tries to destroy the castle 66a by moving another carriage 20b on which a toy (such as a weapon) 40b is mounted using the operation unit 122.

[0207] As shown in the right diagram of FIG. 69, when it is detected that the carriage 20a has fallen due to the destruction of the castle 66a, the information processing device 10 determines that the castle destruction game has been cleared.

[0208] In this castle destruction game, the difficulty level of the game can change depending on whether the castle is assembled firmly. That is, according to the 16th embodiment, a game including both a play element and a puzzle element can be realized using the carriage 20 and the blocks.

[0209] <<18. 17th Embodiment>> As described above, the 16th embodiment has been explained. Next, the 17th embodiment will be explained. As will be described later, according to the 17th embodiment, it is possible to perform cooperative control on two carriages 20 (that is, to operate the two carriages 20 in cooperation). As a result, for example, movements such as those of a living organism can be realized.

[0210] <18-1. Overview> In the 17th embodiment, first, the user brings the two carriages 20 into contact with or close to a predetermined area in a predetermined sheet-like medium (such as a picture book or a card) where special information (a third arrangement pattern) is recorded. The third arrangement pattern can be a pattern that defines the cooperative control of the two carriages 20. Thereby, an operation pattern (cooperative operation pattern) corresponding to the third arrangement pattern can be associated with the two carriages 20.

[0211] <18-2. Configuration> Next, the configuration according to the 17th embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the 17th embodiment may be the same as those in the 9th embodiment (shown in FIG. 46). Hereinafter, only the components having functions different from those in the 9th embodiment will be described. As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 may be provided on each of the two carts 20. It should be noted that the cooperative control of the 9th embodiment may be performed by communication between the information processing apparatuses 10 provided on each of the two carts 20. Also, the cooperative control example in the 9th embodiment can be executed by communication between the information processing apparatus 10 having the operation unit 122 and the plurality of carts 20. For example, first, the information processing apparatus 10 having the operation unit 122 may issue movement information (instructions) only to one of the carts 20. Next, the one cart 20 may provide the received movement information (or operation information based thereon) to the other cart 20. Then, the other cart 20 may execute a cooperative operation corresponding to the one cart 20 based on the movement information provided from the one cart 20.

[0212] {18-2-1. Operation control unit 106} The operation control unit 106 according to the 17th embodiment can control the positional relationship between the two carts 20 based on the information acquired based on the reading of the third arrangement pattern by the two carts 20 (hereinafter also referred to as the cart set 26). For example, the operation control unit 106 controls the two carts 20 so that each of the two carts 20 moves in an operation pattern corresponding to the third arrangement pattern.

[0213] As described above, position information and angle information can be recorded in each unit area in the mat 30. For example, the operation control unit 106 controls the two carts 20 so that each of the two carts 20 moves based on the combination of the position information and the angle information read by each of the two carts 20 from the mat 30 and the operation pattern associated with the two carts 20.

[0214] (18-2-1-1. First cooperative control example: Movement of the shakutori bug) Here, with reference to FIGS. 70 to 77, a specific example of cooperative control will be described. FIG. 70 is a diagram showing a first cooperative control example of the cart set 26. As shown in FIG. 70, the first cooperative control example is an example of controlling the two carts 20 (cart set 26a) to move in a movement pattern (hereinafter referred to as the first movement pattern) such as that of a centipede.

[0215] For example, first, based on the user approaching the cart set 26a with respect to a predetermined sheet-like medium or the like, the first movement pattern can be associated with the cart set 26a. Then, in the initial setting mode, the information processing apparatus 10 (control unit 100) recognizes the distance between the two carts 20 when the user places the two carts 20 on, for example, the mat 30 as the upper limit distance, and can record it in the storage unit 130. Further, the control unit 100 may determine which of the two carts 20 is the head-side cart 20a based on the orientation (angle information) of each of the two carts 20.

[0216] Thereafter, the motion control unit 106 repeatedly causes each of the two carts 20 to move closer to or away from each other. For example, first, the motion control unit 106 accelerates the head-side cart 20a backward until the distance from the tail-side cart 20b becomes, for example, one-third of the upper limit distance (that is, makes the head-side cart 20a approach the tail-side cart 20b). Thereafter, the motion control unit 106 moves the head-side cart 20a forward to a position where the distance from the tail-side cart 20b does not exceed the upper limit distance. Thereafter, the motion control unit 106 accelerates the tail-side cart 20b forward until the distance from the head-side cart 20a becomes, for example, one-third of the upper limit distance (that is, makes the tail-side cart 20b approach the head-side cart 20a). Thereafter, the motion control unit 106 repeats the above process again. According to this cooperative control example 1, the cart set 26a can be moved in a movement like that of a centipede.

[0217] (18-2-1-2. Second Cooperative Control Example: Movement of a Person Walking) Figs. 71 to 73 are diagrams showing a second cooperative control example of the carriage set 26. As shown in Fig. 71, the second cooperative control example is an example of controlling the carriage set 26b to move in a movement pattern (hereinafter referred to as the second movement pattern) such that, for example, a human walks (bipedally).

[0218] For example, first, a second movement pattern may be associated with the carriage set 26b based on, for example, the user approaching the carriage set 26b with respect to a predetermined sheet-like medium. Thereafter, in the initial setting mode, the control unit 100 can determine the right-foot side carriage 20a and the left-foot side carriage 20a (among the two carriages 20) based on, for example, the positional relationship between the two carriages 20 when the user places the two carriages 20 (carriage set 26b) on the mat 30. Further, the control unit 100 may simultaneously and automatically determine the set distance between the left and right feet (that is, the distance between the right-foot side carriage 20a and the left-foot side carriage 20a) based on the distance between the two carriages 20 at the timing when the two carriages 20 are placed.

[0219] Thereafter, as shown in Figs. 72 and 73, for example, the operation control unit 106 alternately moves forward (or backward) the right-foot side carriage 20a and the left-foot side carriage 20a so as to head toward the virtual point 74 corresponding to the target position. According to this control example, even if the position of the carriage 20 is slightly deviated from the target position, it can be easily corrected.

[0220] (18 - 2 - 1 - 3. Third cooperative control example: Structure for grasping an object) Figs. 74 to 76 are diagrams showing a third cooperative control example of the carriage set 26. As shown in Figs. 74 to 76, the third cooperative control example is an example of controlling the carriage set 26c to move in a movement pattern (hereinafter referred to as the third movement pattern) such that, for example, it jumps onto and grasps another object 2 arranged on the mat 30.

[0221] For example, first, a third movement pattern may be associated with the carriage set 26c based on, for example, the user approaching the carriage set 26c to a predetermined sheet-like medium. Then, in the initial setting mode, when the user places two carriages 20 (carriage set 26c) on, for example, the mat 30 and presses, for example, the start button in the operation unit 122, the control unit 100 can automatically recognize the position of the front carriage 20a and the position of the rear carriage 20b (among the two carriages 20). Thereby, the working size of the carriage set 26c (for example, the size of the paper to be pasted on the two carriages 20 as shown in FIG. 74) can be determined.

[0222] - Control Example 1 Thereafter, when the front carriage 20a is moved based on an operation on the operation unit 122 associated with the front carriage 20a, for example, the motion control unit 106 can (automatically) control the motion of the rear carriage 20b so that the rear carriage 20b follows the front carriage 20a while drawing a smooth curve.

[0223] - Control Example 2 Furthermore, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the motion control unit 106 controls the two carriages 20 so that they move to pounce on and grab an object 2 located near the front carriage 20a as shown in FIGS. 75 and 76. The predetermined condition may be that the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 122, or that the distance between the front carriage 20a and the rear carriage 20b becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance. Thereby, it is possible to realize an operation of grabbing the object 2 when the distance between the front carriage 20a and the rear carriage 20b becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

[0224] Note that the carriage set 26c can also move while holding the object 2 (as shown in FIG. 76), for example, based on the control of the motion control unit 106 or the user's operation on the operation unit 122.

[0225] (18-2-1-4. Fourth Cooperative Control Example: Movement Simulating a Physical Phenomenon) FIG. 77 is a diagram showing a fourth coordinated control example of the carriage set 26. As shown in FIG. 77, the fourth coordinated control example is an example of controlling the carriage set 26d to move in a movement pattern that mimics a physical phenomenon (for example, a movement pattern such as the repulsion or attraction of two permanent magnets (hereinafter referred to as the fourth movement pattern)).

[0226] For example, first, based on the user approaching the individual carriage 20 to a predetermined sheet-like medium or the like, a "magnetic property" can be associated with the carriage 20. More specifically, an N pole can be associated with a part (such as the front half) of the carriage 20, and an S pole can be associated with the remaining part (such as the rear half) of the carriage 20, respectively.

[0227] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 77, when a plurality of the carriages 20 associated with the "magnetic property" are arranged on the mat 30, the operation control unit 106 controls the operation of the plurality of carriages 20 for each carriage 20a based on the "magnetic pole" associated with the part of the carriage 20a closer to another carriage 20b and the distance between the carriage 20a and the other carriage 20b. For example, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 77, when the part of one carriage 20a associated with the "S pole" approaches the part of another carriage 20b associated with the "S pole", as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 77, the operation control unit 106 controls the carriage 20b to move in a manner that the carriage 20b repels from the carriage 20a (for example, moves backward).

[0228] - Modification As a modification, only one magnetic pole (that is, "N pole" or "S pole") may be associated with each carriage 20. In this case, it is also possible to pseudo-create a magnet with only one magnetic pole (which does not exist in the real world).

[0229] Alternatively, a static friction coefficient, a dynamic friction coefficient, or the like may be set as a parameter value. In this case, the operation control unit 106 may control the moving speed of each carriage 20 based on the value of the parameter.

[0230] Alternatively, the motion control unit 106 can also control the movement of the two carts 20 as if an elastic force of rubber is acting between the two carts 20. For example, the motion control unit 106 may control the cart 20a so that the cart 20a follows the other cart 20b with a slight delay. Thereby, a movement as if the cart 20a is pulled by the cart 20b can be realized.

[0231] Alternatively, the motion control unit 106 can also realize a movement in which the toy 40 arranged on the cart 20 stops at the center of rotation by controlling the rotational speeds of both wheels of the cart 20.

[0232] <18-3. Effect> As described above, according to the 17th embodiment, it is possible to perform cooperative control on the two carts 20. As a result, for example, a movement like that of a living organism can be realized as in the first to third cooperative control examples. Note that, as suggested above, the distance between the two independent carts 20 is limited to a distance equal to or less than the size of the living organism to be reproduced, and the two carts 20 perform different operations simultaneously, so that it may be considered that the degree of reproduction of the living organism by the two carts 20 is increased.

[0233] <18-4. Modification> {18-4-1. Modification 1} The 17th embodiment is not limited to the examples described above. For example, depending on the type of movement pattern (e.g., the type of living organism, etc.) associated with the two carts 20 and the positional relationship between the two carts 20 at the start, if the two carts 20 are operated as they are, the two carts 20 may become immovable or may malfunction.

[0234] Therefore, the operation control unit 106 may first determine whether it is necessary to change the positional relationship between the two carts 20 based on the types of movement patterns associated with the two carts 20 and the current positional relationship between the two carts 20. And when it is determined that it is necessary to change the positional relationship between the two carts 20, the operation control unit 106 can control the operations of the two carts 20 so that the positional relationship between the two carts 20 changes based on the determination result. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 78, the operation control unit 106 can move or rotate both (or only one) of the two carts 20 so that the positional relationship between the two carts 20 becomes the default positional relationship. Or, when it is determined that it is impossible (or difficult) to automatically change the positional relationship between the two carts 20 to the default positional relationship, as shown in FIG. 79, the output control unit 108 may output an error sound to the voice output unit 126 (or the corresponding cart 20), or may display an error message on the display unit 124 (or the corresponding cart 20). The types and characteristics of, for example, motors, motor drivers, or gears in each individual cart 20 can usually be different. For this reason, even when the information processing device 10 controls each of the plurality of carts 20 so that the plurality of carts 20 move in the same direction, some of the plurality of carts 20 may move in a different direction.

[0235] {18-4-2. Modification Example 2} Therefore, the operation control unit 106 can control the moving direction of each cart 20 at any time using the angle information (and position information) read by the cart 20 from the mat 30 for each cart 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 80, the operation control unit 106 can control (such as changing) the moving direction of each cart 20 based on the angle information acquired by the cart 20 so that the moving direction of the cart 20 is the same as the moving instruction direction for the cart 20 for each cart 20.

[0236]

[0237] {18-4-3. Modification Example 3} As described above, it is possible to determine whether or not the carriage 20 has come into contact with another object based on, for example, the measurement results by the acceleration sensor in the carriage 20. On the other hand, it may be difficult to identify the type of the object with which the carriage 20 has come into contact. As a result, as shown in FIG. 81, there is a risk that the movement of the carriage 20 may be restricted.

[0238] Therefore, for example, while it is determined that the amount of change in the position information of the carriage 20 is within a predetermined threshold, when it is determined that the duration of the rotation of the motor in the carriage 20 has reached a predetermined time, the operation control unit 106 may determine that the object restricting the movement of the carriage 20 exists in the moving direction of the carriage 20. Further, in this case, the operation control unit 106 may temporarily suspend the movement control (such as forward control or rotation control) for the carriage 20.

[0239] Further, for example, in the case of forward control, the operation control unit 106 may temporarily move the corresponding carriage 20 backward and detour to the right and left. Thereby, it is possible to realize a movement as if the carriage 20 "detects and avoids an obstacle". Therefore, it is possible to realize a movement more similar to that of a living organism.

[0240] <<19. Hardware Configuration>> As described above, each embodiment has been described. Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 common to each embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 82. As shown in FIG. 82, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 150, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 152, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 154, a bus 156, an interface 158, an input device 160, an output device 162, a storage device 164, and a communication device 166.

[0241] The CPU 150 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation in the information processing apparatus 10 according to various programs. Further, the CPU 150 realizes the function of the control unit 100. The CPU 150 is constituted by a processor such as a microprocessor.

[0242] The ROM 152 stores control data such as programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU 150.

[0243] The RAM 154 temporarily stores, for example, programs executed by the CPU 150 and data in use.

[0244] The bus 156 is composed of a CPU bus or the like. This bus 156 connects the CPU 150, the ROM 152, and the RAM 154 to each other.

[0245] The interface 158 connects the storage device 164 and the communication device 166 to the bus 156.

[0246] The input device 160 includes input means for a user to input information (such as a touch panel, buttons, switches, dials, levers, or microphones, etc.), and an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on the user's input and outputs it to the CPU 150. The input device 160 can realize the function of the operation unit 122.

[0247] The output device 162 includes a display device such as an LCD device, an OLED device, a projector, or a lamp. The output device 162 also includes an audio output device such as a speaker. The output device 162 can realize the functions of the display unit 124 and the audio output unit 126.

[0248] The storage device 164 is a data storage device that functions as the storage unit 130. The storage device 164 includes, for example, a storage medium, a recording device that records data on the storage medium, a reading device that reads data from the storage medium, or a deleting device that deletes data recorded on the storage medium.

[0249] The communication device 166 is a communication interface composed of a communication device (such as a network card) for connecting to a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Further, the communication device 166 may be a wireless LAN-compatible communication device, an LTE (Long Term Evolution)-compatible communication device, or a wire communication device that performs wired communication. The communication device 166 can implement the functions of the communication unit 120.

[0250] <<20. Modification Example>> As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0251] <20-1. Modification Example 1> For example, as shown in FIG. 83, a short-range wireless communication unit 230 (for example, an NFC reader / writer) may be installed near the upper surface inside the cart 20, and a live tag 262 (for example, a software tag) may be installed near the bottom surface inside the cart 20. Further, a reader 82 (for example, an NFC reader) may be installed in the mat 30. In this case, as shown in FIG. 83, when the user approaches the tag 80 (for example, an NFC tag) to the upper surface of the cart 20, the cart 20 can transmit the information read from the tag 80 to the reader 82. For example, first, the short-range wireless communication unit 230 reads the information stored in the tag 80. Next, the control unit 200 rewrites the information stored in the live tag 262 with the information read from the tag 80. Then, the newly stored information in the live tag 262 is transmitted to the reader 82 located directly below the cart 20. Thereby, the user can send the information of the tag 80 to the area where the cart 20 is located in the mat 30.

[0252] For example, when a toy 40 (such as a doll) equipped with NFC is placed on the carriage 20, the carriage 20 can read information indicating the type of the toy 40 from the toy 40 and transmit the read information to the reader 82 in the mat 30. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 10 or the mat 30 can recognize the type of the toy 40 placed on the carriage 20.

[0253] <20-2. Modified Example 2> {20-2-1. Parameter Change} As another modified example, it is also possible to use the carriage 20 as some kind of user interface. For example, as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 84, according to the moving distance and moving direction when the user moves the carriage 20 in parallel, the value of the parameter associated with the carriage 20 itself (or the parallel movement of the carriage 20) may be dynamically changed. Or, as shown by the arrow B in FIG. 84, according to the amount of rotation (such as the rotation angle and rotation direction) when the user rotates the carriage 20, the value of the parameter associated with the carriage 20 itself (or the rotation of the carriage 20) may be dynamically changed. Or, as shown by the arrow C in FIG. 84, when the user tilts or raises the carriage 20, the value of the parameter associated with the carriage 20 itself (or the tilted state of the carriage 20) may be dynamically changed. Note that these movement information (parallel movement, rotation, and tilting, etc.) can be specified according to the position information and acceleration sensed by the carriage 20.

[0254] Furthermore, when the carriage 20 has a force sensor, the value of the parameter associated with the carriage 20 may be dynamically changed according to the strength of the force sensed by the force sensor.

[0255] For example, these movement information may be used as a user interface for a music application. For example, when the user moves the carriage 20, the pitch, volume, tempo, timbre, etc. of the sound may be dynamically changed. Or, when the user moves the carriage 20, as shown in FIG. 85, the level values of various parameters in the mixer may be dynamically changed.

[0256] {20-2-2. Feedback on Parameter Changes} Furthermore, when the value of the parameter is changed, the carriage 20 may display, on the display unit 224 (of the carriage 20), a display indicating the value of the parameter after the change. For example, the carriage 20 may vary the color or emission pattern of the light emitted by the display unit 224 according to the value of the parameter after the change. Alternatively, the carriage 20 may cause the audio output unit 226 to output an audio corresponding to the value of the parameter after the change. For example, the carriage 20 may vary the type or volume of the sound output by the audio output unit 226 according to the value of the parameter after the change.

[0257] <20-3. Modification Example 3> In FIG. 1, an example in which the mat 30 has a plate-like shape is shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. As a modification example, as shown in FIG. 86, the mat 30 may have a foldable shape that can be lifted at the bottom. FIG. 86 shows an example in which the mat 30 is formed so that the height of the bottom can be similarly increased regardless of whether the mat 30 is folded in either the vertical or horizontal direction. Note that the folding pattern is not limited to such an example.

[0258] FIG. 87 is a diagram showing a state in which the mat 30 shown in FIG. 86 is folded so as to lift the bottom and the carriage 20 is placed on the upper surface of the mat 30. As shown in FIG. 87, according to this modification example, a shape like a dojo can be realized with a single mat 30. Therefore, the advantages of the game performed in the real space can be further utilized.

[0259] As described above, the information processing device 10 can specify whether or not the carriage 20 has fallen from the mat 30 based on the measurement value by the acceleration sensor in the carriage 20, the history of the position information read by the carriage 20 from the mat 30, and the like.

[0260] <20-4. Modification Example 4> As another modification, as shown in FIG. 88, the mat 30 may be composed of three layers (a medium 330 (such as chip hole paper, etc.), and two mats 332). Specifically, the mats 332 may be fixed to both sides of the medium 330, respectively. Position information is recorded on each mat 332, for example, in a grid pattern (similar to the mat 30 described above). According to this modification, as shown in FIG. 89, two types of games can be realized with a single mat 30. That is, different games can be realized depending on whether the front surface 332a is facing up or the back surface 332b is facing up.

[0261] <20-5. Modification 5> As another modification, instead of the mat 30 shown in FIG. 1, another mat 90 with a different shape as shown in FIGS. 90 to 94 may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 90, a hemispherical object 902a may be fixed under the mat portion 900a of the mat 90a. Or, as shown in FIG. 91, a polygonal pyramid (such as a square pyramid or a hexagonal pyramid) - shaped object 902b may be fixed under the mat portion 900b of the mat 90b. Or, as shown in FIG. 92, a protruding portion 902c on which, for example, a carriage 20 can move may be installed on the mat portion 900c of the mat 90c. Or, as shown in FIG. 93, a hole portion 902d larger than the size of, for example, the carriage 20 may be provided in the mat portion 900d of the mat 90d. Or, the mat 90 may be in the shape of a turntable. For example, as shown in FIG. 94, the mat portion 900e is installed on the base 902e, and the mat portion 900e may be rotatable automatically or manually. When these mats 90 are used, further physical effects can be introduced into the game.

[0262] <20-6. Modification 6> The functions of the information processing apparatus 10 according to each embodiment may be realized by a single computer, or may be realized by a plurality of computers operating in cooperation. Also, the information processing apparatus 10 may be composed of a plurality of devices.

[0263] <20-7. Variant Example 7> In each embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 has been described as an example of a game machine as shown in FIG. 1, but is not limited to such an example. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 may be a server, a general-purpose PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a portable music player, a television receiver, a wearable device such as, for example, an HMD (Head Mounted Display), or a robot, etc.

[0264] <20-8. Variant Example 8> As another variant example, instead of the cart 20, a drone (flying object) may be adopted. The drone is an example of the moving body according to the present disclosure. Note that it should be noted that the information processing apparatus 10 may be incorporated into the drone, or may be incorporated into a device such as a smartphone.

[0265] Hereinafter, the content of this variant example will be described more specifically. Conventionally, a method of assisting the operation control of a drone by installing a takeoff / landing point and a marker indicating a specific location of the drone, and having an imaging device provided on the drone capture the installed marker has been known. Also, in a conventional drone, for detecting the position of the drone in an outdoor space, sensor data obtained from an image sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, an inertial sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a barometer, etc. is used alone or integratively. However, the position detection accuracy of the sensor data for outdoor spaces is not sufficient for the position control of a drone in a relatively narrow space such as an indoor space. For this reason, an improvement in the position detection accuracy of the drone is expected for the flight control of the drone in an indoor space.

[0266] Regarding the flight control of the drone as described above, the flight path of the drone may be controlled using the position information indicated by the array pattern in the present disclosure. Here, it should be noted that the "array pattern" includes markers that have been conventionally used. Further, in the flight control of the drone in the present disclosure, the operation control in the aforementioned cart 20 may be applied unless otherwise explicitly mentioned.

[0267] In the present disclosure, the flight control of the drone is performed based on a plurality of position information included in the array pattern. This array pattern may be printed on a single mat, or may be printed on a plurality of mats, like the embodiment regarding the cart 20. Alternatively, an information medium other than the mat may be appropriately adopted. Further, the flight control of the drone may be performed so as to move autonomously between mats that are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship and are spaced apart from each other. Each mat may show at least one piece of position information of the next mat to head to. Alternatively, a data table in which data of each mat is recorded in advance may be downloaded to the drone from the network, and the flight control between each mat may be performed by comparing the code of each mat with the data table.

[0268] The embodiment in which the mats are arranged apart from each other is suitable not only for flight control in an indoor space but also for flight control in an outdoor space. Specifically, at each of a plurality of intermediate points on the flight path connecting the takeoff point and the landing point of the drone in the outdoor space, an array pattern indicating the position information corresponding to the intermediate point may be installed. Then, based on the intermediate points installed in this way, autonomous flight control or manual flight control of the drone may be performed. Note that the flight control via the intermediate points where the array pattern is arranged may be applied (integratedly) in combination with the conventionally used flight control using GPS.

[0269] According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide flight control of the drone with high position detection accuracy as compared with the position detection accuracy of the drone by GPS or the like.

[0270] The array pattern of the present disclosure may be used for altitude detection of a drone in flight. Specifically, based on the size of the array pattern obtained by image recognition, the altitude of the drone may be detected, and flight control of the drone may be performed based on the detected altitude. More specifically, it may be recognized that the higher the altitude, the smaller the size of the array pattern.

[0271] When controlling the altitude of the drone based on the takeoff / landing array pattern, as the drone approaches or moves away from the array pattern, the array pattern may become too large to fit within the field of view in the image, or may become too small to be recognized within the image. To address this issue, a first array pattern having a first size and a second array pattern having a second size larger than the first size may be arranged at substantially the same position in the real space. More specifically, the first array pattern and the second array pattern may be arranged such that the center of the first array pattern and the center of the second array pattern substantially coincide. By adopting such a combination of array patterns, the center of the first array pattern will be located at the center of the second array pattern. Therefore, in order to recognize such a combination of array patterns, the center of each array pattern may be recognized (ignored) by the drone as an area having no control information including position information. And the size of the first array pattern may be equal to or less than the size of the area without control information in the second array pattern.

[0272] When the first array pattern and the second array pattern are configured as described above, even when the second array pattern no longer fits within the field of view as the drone lands, the first array pattern will be recognized as the drone approaches the landing surface. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform altitude detection of the drone with high accuracy. As a result, at takeoff / landing, especially when landing, the occurrence of impact on the drone is alleviated, so for example, it becomes possible to extend the product life of the drone.

[0273] Regarding the altitude control of the drone, instead of the control that refers to the size of the above individual array patterns, altitude control may be performed according to the number of unit array patterns included within the angle of view. More specifically, the larger the number of unit array patterns included within the angle of view, the higher the altitude may be recognized. Here, the unit array pattern may be regarded as the minimum unit of the pattern indicating the position information, and a plurality of unit array patterns may be regarded as being arranged on, for example, a single mat (information medium).

[0274] <20-9. Modification Example 9> In the flow of processing of each of the above-described embodiments, each step does not necessarily have to be processed in the described order. For example, each step may be processed with the order changed as appropriate. Also, each step may be processed partially in parallel or individually instead of being processed in time series. Further, some of the described steps may be omitted, or another step may be further added.

[0275] According to each of the above-described embodiments, it is also possible to provide a computer program for causing hardware such as the CPU 150, ROM 152, and RAM 154 to exhibit functions equivalent to those of each component of the information processing apparatus 10 according to each embodiment. Also, a storage medium on which the computer program is recorded is provided.

[0276] Also, the effects described in this specification are merely illustrative or exemplary and not limiting. That is, the technology according to the present disclosure may exhibit other effects that are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of this specification, together with or instead of the above effects.

[0277] Note that the following configurations also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. (1) An information acquisition unit that acquires position information from a sensor configured to read a predetermined array pattern, An operation control unit that controls the operation of a first moving body including movement in the real space based on the position information, an information processing apparatus. (2) The information processing apparatus further includes a position correction unit that corrects the position information acquired from the sensor based on the attachment position of the sensor with respect to the first moving body. The operation control unit controls the operation of the first moving body based on the corrected position information, and the information processing apparatus according to (1). (3) The position correction unit corrects the position information acquired from the sensor to position information corresponding to the approximate center of the first moving body specified from the attachment position. The operation control unit controls the operation of the first moving body based on the corrected position information, and the information processing apparatus according to (2). (4) The sensor is configured to be attached at a distance from the approximate center of the first moving body in the horizontal direction, and the information processing apparatus according to (3). (5) The sensor is configured to be attached in front of the first moving body in the horizontal direction, and the information processing apparatus according to (4). (6) When there is an abnormality in the acquisition of the position information, the operation control unit controls the first moving body to automatically move to a predetermined position, and the information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) When there is an abnormality in the acquisition of the position information, the operation control unit controls the first moving body to move backward, and the information processing apparatus according to (6). (8) When there is an abnormality in the acquisition of the position information, the operation control unit controls the first moving body to automatically move until the position information is acquired, and the information processing apparatus according to (6). (9) The operation control unit controls the moving direction of the first moving body based on the moving direction of the first moving body immediately before an abnormality occurs in the acquisition of the position information, and the information processing apparatus according to (6). (10) The predetermined array pattern includes a first array pattern that defines position information regarding real space by means of a plurality of different patterns, and a second array pattern that defines control information regarding the operation of the moving body. The operation control unit controls the operation of the first moving body based on the position information acquired based on the reading of the first array pattern by the sensor and the control information acquired based on the reading of the second array pattern by the sensor. The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9) above. (11) The control information is information for controlling at least one of the moving speed, operation pattern, and rotational operation of the first moving body. The information processing apparatus according to (10) above. (12) The information processing apparatus further includes an external force detection unit that detects an external force applied to the first moving body. The operation control unit further controls the operation of the first moving body based on the detection result of the external force. The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11) above. (13) The information processing apparatus further includes a communication unit that communicates with a second moving body. The operation control unit controls the positional relationship between the first moving body and the second moving body based on communication by the communication unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12) above. (14) The predetermined array pattern includes a third array pattern that defines cooperative control between the first moving body and the second moving body. The operation control unit controls the positional relationship between the first moving body and the second moving body based on the information acquired based on the reading of the third array pattern by the sensor. The information processing apparatus according to (13) above. (15) The predetermined array pattern includes a fourth array pattern regarding the operation of an object different from the first moving body. The operation control unit is electrically connected to the first moving body and controls the operation of the object attached to the first moving body based on the information obtained based on the reading of the fourth arrangement pattern by the sensor. The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14) above. (16) Obtaining position information from a sensor configured to read a predetermined arrangement pattern, The processor controls the operation of the first moving body including movement in the real space based on the position information. An information processing method including. (17) Defining position information regarding the real space by a plurality of different patterns, and a first arrangement pattern having a first area, Defining control information regarding the operation of the moving body, and a second arrangement pattern having a second area smaller than the first area. An information medium including. (18) The second arrangement pattern is configured to define a combination of the plurality of different patterns of the first arrangement pattern. The information medium according to (17) above. (19) The control information includes information for controlling at least one of the moving speed, operation pattern, and rotation operation of the moving body. The information medium according to (17) or (18) above. (20) The information medium includes a first information medium and a second information medium that is independent of the first information medium and has a smaller area than the first information medium. The first arrangement pattern is provided on the first information medium. The second arrangement pattern is provided on the second information medium. The information medium according to any one of (17) to (19) above.

Explanation of Signs

[0278] 10 Information processing apparatus 20 Cart 22 Cassette 24 Ball cart 30, 90 Mat 40 Toys 100, 200 Control Unit 102 Information Acquisition Unit 104 Mat Information Identification Unit 106 Motion Control Unit 108 Output Control Unit 110 External Force Detection Unit 112 Position Information Correction Unit 120, 220 Communication Unit 122 Operation Unit 124, 224 Display Unit 126, 226 Audio Output Unit 128 Cassette Connection Unit 130 Memory Unit 222 Input Unit 228 Sensor Unit 230 Short-Range Wireless Communication Unit 232 Driving Unit 234 Servo Motor

Claims

1. A bottom surface, two rotating members exposed from the bottom surface and arranged to face each other, a motor for driving the two rotating members, a convex portion disposed on the bottom surface and in contact with the ground together with the two rotating members during travel, a camera disposed on the bottom surface, a mobile body including: the camera is capable of reading a printed array pattern indicating control information for controlling the operation of the mobile body and a printed array pattern indicating the position of the mobile body; when the array pattern indicating the position of the mobile body is read, position information and angle information are acquired based on the read array pattern; when the array pattern indicating the control information is read, the movement by the rotation of the motor is controlled based on the position information indicated by the read array pattern and the control information; the control information includes a command for rotating the mobile body by a predetermined angle without forward and backward movement, a mobile body.

2. The mobile body according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes information for controlling at least one of an operation pattern and a rotation operation, a mobile body.

3. The mobile body according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes at least one command for starting the rotation and operation of the mobile body, a mobile body.

4. The mobile body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the array pattern indicating the control information is printed on tiles, a mobile body.

5. The mobile body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further including a light emitting portion, wherein the light emitting portion emits light in a color corresponding to the information read by the camera, a mobile body.

6. The mobile body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the convex portion is provided in a region between the two rotating members when viewed in the direction in which the two rotating members are arranged, a mobile body.

7. Including a mobile body and a plurality of tiles, wherein the mobile body has a bottom surface, two rotating members exposed from the bottom surface and arranged to face each other, a motor for driving the two rotating members, a convex portion disposed on the bottom surface and in contact with the ground together with the two rotating members during travel, a camera disposed on the bottom surface, and includes: on each of the plurality of tiles, an array pattern indicating control information for controlling the operation of the mobile body is printed, The camera is capable of reading a printed array pattern indicating control information for controlling the operation of the moving body and a printed array pattern indicating the position of the moving body. When the array pattern indicating the position of the moving body is read, position information and angle information are acquired based on the read array pattern. The movement by the rotation of the motor is controlled based on the position information and control information indicated by the read array pattern. The control information includes a command to rotate the moving body by a predetermined angle without forward and backward movement. Information processing system.

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