Information processing system

Abstract

To propose a technology that can control motion of a moving body in response to position information corresponding to a predetermined array pattern.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes an information acquisition unit that acquires position information from a sensor configured to read a predetermined array pattern, and a motion control unit that controls motion of a first moving body including movement in a real space based on the position information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Various types of play and games using real objects have been proposed. For example, toys that allow players to assemble three-dimensional objects using a plurality of blocks or parts have been proposed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes a technique for detecting or tracking an image of a real object located on a playfield based on the results of capturing an image of the playfield. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-76167 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration adaptive control of the movement of a moving object in accordance with position information corresponding to a predetermined array pattern.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a new and improved information processing device, information processing method, and information medium that are capable of adaptively controlling the operation of a moving object based on position information corresponding to a predetermined array pattern. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0008] The present disclosure also provides an information processing method that includes acquiring position information from a sensor configured to read a predetermined array pattern, and a processor controlling the operation of a first moving body, including movement in real space, based on the position information.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, an information medium is provided, which includes a first array pattern that defines position information regarding real space using a plurality of different patterns and has a first area, and a second array pattern that defines control information regarding the operation of a moving object and has a second area that is smaller than the first area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to adaptively control the movement of a moving object based on position information corresponding to a predetermined array pattern. Note that the effects described herein are not necessarily limited to those described herein, and any of the effects described in the present disclosure may be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system common to each embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 10 is an example of a bottom view of the carriage 20 according to each embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an example of a front view of a carriage 20 according to each embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is an example of a plan view of a carriage 20 according to each embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is an example of a side view of the carriage 20 according to each embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a toy 40 is attached to a cart 20. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the carriage 20. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device 10 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a mat ID according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a mat ID according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a mat ID according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a mat ID according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a mat ID according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a mat ID according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a mat ID according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a mat ID according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a mat ID according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a problem of the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device 10 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of movement control of the carriage 20 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of movement control of the carriage 20 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of movement control of the carriage 20 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 24] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of movement control of the carriage 20 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 25] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of movement of the carriage 20 when an abnormality occurs according to the third embodiment. [Figure 26] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of movement of the carriage 20 when an abnormality occurs according to the third embodiment. [Figure 27] 10 is a diagram showing an example of joining a plurality of mats 30 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a carriage 20 moves on a plurality of mats 30 that are connected together. [Figure 29] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of corner structures of individual mats 30 according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of determining whether or not a mat 30a is coupled to another mat 30b when the carriage 20 according to the fourth embodiment is positioned at the end of the mat 30a. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of determining whether or not a mat 30a is coupled to another mat 30b when the carriage 20 according to the fourth embodiment is positioned at the end of the mat 30a. [Figure 32] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of adding a polygon 50 to a mat 30 according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 33] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of adding a polygon 50 to a mat 30 according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of adding a polygon 50 to a mat 30 according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 35] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of changing a set course according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 36] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of changing a set course according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 37] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of adding a polygon 50 to a mat 30 according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of paper 44 on which special information is recorded on a mat 30 according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of paper 44 on which special information is recorded on a mat 30 according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 40] 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the cart 20 is positioned on the paper 44. FIG. [Figure 41] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a book 70 made up of a plurality of mats 30 according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 42] 13 is a diagram showing an example of movement of the carriage 20 through a hole in the mat 30 according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 43] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a problem of the seventh embodiment. [Figure 44] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game selection menu according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 45] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a problem of the ninth embodiment. [Figure 46] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device 10 according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of specifying position information of the approximate center of the carriage 20 according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 48] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of specifying position information of the approximate center of the carriage 20 according to the ninth embodiment. [Figure 49] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of pairing between an operation unit 124 and a cart 20 according to a tenth embodiment. [Figure 50] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a platform for a soccer game according to an eleventh embodiment. [Figure 51] FIG. 23 is an example of a bottom view of a ball carriage 24 according to an eleventh embodiment. [Figure 52] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of control of the movement of the player's carriage 20 according to the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 53] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a foul play determination according to the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 54] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a racing game according to the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 55] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example in which stickers 44 corresponding to items are placed on a mat 30 according to a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 56] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example in which stickers 44 corresponding to items are placed on a mat 30 according to a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 57] 23 is a diagram showing an example of control of the operation of the vehicle 20 when attacked by another vehicle 20 according to the twelfth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 58]FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a touch menu 54 for changing environmental conditions during a racing game according to a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 59] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of determining whether the cart 20 has won or lost, according to the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 60] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of determining whether the cart 20 has won or lost, according to the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 61] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a battle involving rotation of the toy 40 according to the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 62] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of control of the bogie 20 based on a stamina value associated with the bogie 20 according to the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 63] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of an attribute card 56 for changing attribute information associated with a cart 20 according to the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 64] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of an attribute card 58 according to the thirteenth embodiment, on both sides of which an arrangement pattern is printed. [Figure 65] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of association between information recorded on an attribute card 58 and a cart 20 according to the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 66] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a rule selection menu 60 according to the fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 67] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a maze game according to the fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 68] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a tile 62 according to the fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 69] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a castle destruction game according to the sixteenth embodiment. [Figure 70] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a first example of cooperative control of two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 71] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a second example of cooperative control of two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 72] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a second example of cooperative control of two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 73]FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a second example of cooperative control of two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 74] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a third example of cooperative control of two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 75] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a third example of cooperative control of two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 76] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a third example of cooperative control of two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 77] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a fourth example of cooperative control of two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 78] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a modified example of the positional relationship between the two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 79] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the positional relationship between two carriages 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment cannot be changed. [Figure 80] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of correction of the moving direction of the carriage 20 according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 81] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the carriage 20 comes into contact with another object. [Figure 82] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 10 common to all embodiments. [Figure 83] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a dolly 20 on which a short-range wireless communication unit 230 is installed, according to a first modification of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 84] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the dolly 20 is used as a user interface. [Figure 85] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the dolly 20 is used as a user interface. [Figure 86] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mat 30 according to a third modification of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 87] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mat 30 according to a third modification of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 88] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mat 30 according to a fourth modification of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 89] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mat 30 according to a fourth modification of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 90] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mat 90 according to a fifth modification of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 91] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mat 90 according to a fifth modification of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 92] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mat 90 according to a fifth modification of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 93] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mat 90 according to a fifth modification of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 94] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mat 90 according to a fifth modification of the present disclosure. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0013] Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different letters after the same reference numeral. For example, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished as necessary, such as bogie 20a and bogie 20b. However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral is used. For example, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between bogie 20a and bogie 20b, they are simply referred to as bogie 20.

[0014] The "Mode for Carrying Out the Invention" will be described in the following order. 1. Information processing system configuration 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. Variations

[0015] <<1. Information Processing System Configuration>> First, a configuration example of an 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 device 10, one or more trolleys 20, and a mat 30.

[0016] <1-1. Information processing device 10> The information processing device 10 is a device that controls the operation of one or more trolleys 20. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can control the execution of various applications such as a game application. For example, the information processing device 10 controls the execution of a game application, and controls the operation of one or more trolleys 20 while the game application is being executed. Note that although the information processing device 10 is provided in hardware separate from the trolleys 20 in FIG. 1 , at least a part of the configuration of the information processing device 10 that controls the trolleys 20 may be provided in the trolley 20.

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

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

[0019] For example, when the cassette 22 is set in the cassette connector 128, the control unit 100, which will be described later, reads out an application stored in the cassette 22 and starts up the application.

[0020] {1-1-2.Operation unit 122} The operation unit 122 accepts user operations relating to, for example, the operation of the dolly 20. As will be described in detail later, each operation unit 122 can be associated with each dolly 20. In this case, the operation unit 122 can accept operations for the dolly 20 associated with the operation unit 122. Then, the information processing device 10 can control the operation of the corresponding dolly 20 in accordance with the operation information received from the operation unit 122.

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

[0022] The display unit 124 displays various information (for example, status information relating to running applications, various notification information, etc.) under the control of the control unit 100, which will be described later.

[0023] <1-2. Mat 30> The mat 30 is an example of a 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 include a first arrangement pattern that defines position information on the mat 30 using multiple different patterns. This position information on the mat 30 may be considered position information associated with real space. For example, the mat 30 has multiple unit areas defined in a grid pattern, and a pattern associated with the position information of each unit area is printed (recorded) on each unit area. As will be described in the sixth embodiment below, the information medium may have a book shape. More specifically, it should be noted that the information medium according to the present disclosure may have a surface having a predetermined arrangement pattern, and the surface having the predetermined arrangement pattern is not limited to a flat surface. The predetermined arrangement pattern may be either a pattern that reflects visible light or a pattern that reflects invisible light, or a combination thereof. When a pattern that reflects invisible light is employed, for example, a pattern that reflects infrared light may be printed on the mat 30, and the pattern may be recognized by sensing the mat 30 with an IR (Infrared) sensor.

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

[0025] <1-3. Cart 20> {1-3-1. Appearance composition} The dolly 20 is an example of a moving body according to the present disclosure. The dolly 20 performs an action (such as traveling) including movement based on a user's operation of the operation unit 122 or control of the information processing device 10. FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams showing an example of the external configuration of the dolly 20. FIG. 2 is an example of a bottom view of the dolly 20. FIG. 3 is an example of a front view of the dolly 20. FIG. 4 is an example of a plan view of the dolly 20. FIG. 5 is an example of a side view of the dolly 20. Note that "movement" as used in the present disclosure may be considered to refer mainly to movement of a moving body (e.g., the dolly 20) in the horizontal direction.

[0026] 2, the dolly 20 has a power switch 250, a position sensor 228a, a switch 222a, and two wheels 254. Furthermore, the dolly 20 may have one motor (not shown) for each wheel 254 that rotates the wheel 254. For example, with the switch 222a and the two wheels 254 in contact with the ground at three points, the dolly 20 travels on the surface on which the dolly 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 cart 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 to read an arrangement pattern recorded on the mat 30, thereby acquiring position information on the mat 30. More specifically, the position sensor 228a reads an arrangement pattern recorded in a unit area located directly below the position sensor 228a among multiple unit areas in the mat 30.

[0028] 2, the position sensor 228a may be attached away from approximately the center of the carriage 20 in the horizontal direction of the carriage 20. Furthermore, the position sensor 228a may be attached to the front of the carriage 20 in the horizontal direction of the carriage 20.

[0029] Although not shown, the sensor unit 228 may further include an acceleration sensor, a motor rotation sensor, and a force sensor. For example, the force sensor may sense the strength of a force applied to the cart 20 from the outside. As an example, a force sensor may be installed instead of the switch 222a.

[0030] (1-3-1-2. Mounting part 260) 3 to 5, a mounting unit 260 may be installed on the top surface of the carriage 20. The mounting unit 260 is configured with a predetermined electrical interface. For example, the mounting unit 260 may include 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] 6, the toy 40 can be attached to the mounting portion 260. The toy 40 is configured by combining one or more blocks (construction set). Furthermore, the toy 40 may have, for example, an LED, a motor, a buzzer, etc.

[0032] When the toy 40 is attached to the attachment portion 260, the cart 20 can control the operation of the toy 40 (for example, the illumination of an LED, the rotation of a motor, or the output of sound). Details will be described later, but for example, when the user brings the toy 40 or the cart 20 on which the toy 40 is riding close to or into contact with a piece of 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 cart 20 can be associated with the fourth arrangement pattern. In this case, the information processing device 10 or the cart 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, the functional configuration of the dolly 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the dolly 20. As shown in Fig. 7, the dolly 20 has 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 a description of the same content as that described above 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), etc. The control unit 100 controls the overall 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, the control unit 100 can also identify the position information corresponding to the arrangement pattern read by the sensor unit 228 from the mat 30.

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

[0037] (1-3-2-3.Display section 224) The display unit 224 is configured by, for example, an LED (such as a four-color LED), an LCD, or an OLED. The display unit 224 displays various information under the control of the control unit 200. For example, while a game application is running, the display unit 224 displays various notification information related to the corresponding cart 20.

[0038] (1-3-2-4. Audio output unit 226) The audio output unit 226 is configured with, for example, a speaker, etc. The audio output unit 226 outputs various sounds in accordance with the control of the control unit 200. For example, while a game application is running, the audio output unit 226 outputs various notification sounds (such as buzzers) and sound effects related to the corresponding cart 20.

[0039] (1-3-2-5. Near Field Wireless Communication Department 230) The short-range wireless communication unit 230 includes, for example, a reader and writer of NFC (Near Field Communication). 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, writes information to the NFC tag, and so on.

[0040] (1-3-2-6. Drive unit 232) The drive unit 232 is a mechanism for driving the dolly 20. The drive unit 232 may include, for example, one motor on each side. These motors may rotate under the control of the control unit 200. As a result, the individual wheels 254 of the dolly 20 rotate, allowing the dolly 20 to move on the surface on which the dolly 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 a servo mechanism included in the cart 20. For example, when the servo motor 234 rotates under the control of the control unit 200, the cart 20 in question collides with (kicks, etc.) another object, or the cart 20 itself falls over.

[0042] The configuration of the information processing system common to each embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Each embodiment will now be described in detail.

[0043] <<2. First Embodiment>> First, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the first embodiment will be described. Usually, it is desirable that the type of mat 30 (for example, an illustration of the mat 30) differs for each type of game or application. In this case, the information processing device 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, by placing one or more carriages 20 on the mat 30, the information processing device 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 an example configuration of the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the information processing device 10 has 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, for example, a processing circuit such as a CPU 150, which will be described later. The control unit 100 comprehensively controls the operation of the information processing device 10. As shown in FIG. 8 , the control unit 100 also 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 acquiring unit 102 acquires information sensed by the cart 20 from the cart 20. For example, the information acquiring unit 102 acquires the position information and control information that the cart 20 reads from the mat 30 by receiving them from the cart 20.

[0048] Furthermore, the information acquiring unit 102 can acquire, from the operation unit 122, operation information of the user input to the operation unit 122. Furthermore, the information acquiring unit 102 can acquire, from the cassette connecting unit 128, information (for example, binary data of an application, music data, etc.) read from a cassette connected to the cassette connecting unit 128.

[0049] {2-1-3. Mat information identification unit 104} Based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 102, the mat information identification unit 104 identifies the identification information (mat ID) of the mat 30 on which the dolly 20 is placed.

[0050] (2-1-3-1. Specific Example 1) For example, a start position may be defined on the mat 30, and position information of the start position may be previously associated one-to-one with a mat ID. In this case, for example, when the trolley 20 is placed at the start position and the start button included in the operation unit 122 is pressed, the mat information identification unit 104 may identify the mat ID associated with the position information acquired by the trolley 20 from the start position as the mat ID of the mat 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the mat information identification unit 104 identifies the mat ID "Mat23" associated with the position information (5,2) acquired by the trolley 20a from the start position on the mat 30 as the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the trolley 20a is placed.

[0051] (2-1-3-2. Specific Example 2) Alternatively, the start positions of the two trolleys 20 may be determined on the mat 30, and a combination of the position information of the two start positions may be previously associated one-to-one with a mat ID. In this case, when one trolley 20 is placed at each of the two start positions and the start button included in the operation unit 122 is pressed, the mat information identification unit 104 may identify the mat ID associated with the combination of the position information acquired by each of the two trolleys 20 from the mat 30 as the mat ID of the mat 30. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the position information acquired by trolley 20a from the first start position on the mat 30 is (5,2), and the position information acquired by trolley 20b from the second start position on the mat 30 is (10,5). In this case, the mat information identification unit 104 may identify the mat ID associated with the combination of the position information acquired by each of the two trolleys 20 from the mat 30 as the mat ID of the mat 30. The mat ID "Mat23" associated with the combination (10,5) is identified as the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the two carts 20 are placed.

[0052] (2-1-3-3. Specific Example 3) Alternatively, a combination of position information and angle information of two trolleys 20 at the start of an application (such as a game) may be previously associated one-to-one with a mat ID. In this case, when one trolley 20 is placed at each of two start positions on the mat 30 at a predetermined angle, and, for example, a start button included in the operation unit 122 is pressed, the mat information identification unit 104 may identify, as the mat ID of the corresponding mat 30, the mat ID associated with the combination of position information and angle information acquired by each of the two trolleys 20 from the mat 30. In the example shown in FIG. 11 , the position information acquired by trolley 20a from a first start position on the mat 30 is (5, 2), and the angle of trolley 20a with respect to the mat 30 is "45 degrees," and the position information acquired by trolley 20b from a second start position on the mat 30 is (10, 5), and the angle of trolley 20b with respect to the mat 30 is "0 degrees." In this case, the mat information identification unit 104 identifies the mat ID "Mat23" associated with the combination of this information as the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the two carts 20 are placed. According to this identification example 3, it is possible to improve the robustness of the mat ID determination.

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

[0054] In these cases, as shown in Fig. 12, for example, the mat information identification unit 104 can identify the mat ID read by the cart 20 from the start area 42 (that is, the start area printed on the mat 30 or a sheet-like medium attached to the mat 30 indicating that it is a start area) at the time the cart 20 is placed on the start area 42 as the mat ID of the mat 30. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the start area 42 may be located inside the mat 30, or as shown in Fig. 14, the start area 42 may be located outside the mat 30.

[0055] (2-1-3-5. Specific Example 5) Alternatively, the mat ID may be recorded on a predetermined unit area (e.g., (0,0)) within the mat 30. In this case, for example, if the mat ID has not yet been identified, the trolley 20 may first automatically move to the predetermined unit area 300, as shown in FIG. 15 or 16. Then, the mat information identification unit 104 may identify the mat ID read by the trolley 20 from the predetermined unit area 300 as the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the trolley 20 is placed.

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

[0057] The direction of the continuous unit areas is not particularly limited. For example, the carriage 20 may be set to move horizontally as indicated by arrow A in Fig. 17, or may be set to move vertically, or may be set to move diagonally as indicated by arrow B in Fig. 17.

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

[0059] Furthermore, the operation control unit 106 controls the operation of the dolly 20 based on operation information of the user on the operation unit 122. For example, if the operation information indicates a movement direction, the operation control unit 106 moves the dolly 20 in the corresponding movement direction.

[0060] {2-1-5. Output control unit 108} The output control unit 108 controls the output of various types of information based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 102 and the mat ID identified by the mat information identification unit 104. For example, the output control unit 108 causes the display unit 124 to display display information of the application acquired by the information acquisition unit 102 (for example, a menu screen, status information of the application, or notification information). The output control unit 108 also causes the audio output unit 126 to output sound data of the application acquired by the information acquisition unit 102 (for example, background music, warning sounds, or sound effects of the application).

[0061] {2-1-6. Communications Department 120} The communication unit 120 may be configured to include, for example, a communication device 166 described below. The communication unit 120 transmits and receives information to and from other devices (such as the trolleys 20). For example, the communication unit 120 transmits and receives information to and from each of the trolleys 20 via 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 trolleys 20 in accordance with the control of the operation control unit 106. Furthermore, the communication unit 120 receives information sensed by the trolley 20 (such as position information and acceleration) from the corresponding trolley 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, which will be described later. The audio output unit 126 outputs sound under the control of the output control unit .

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

[0064] {2-1-9. Modifications} The configuration of the information processing device 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 device 10. As an example, the display unit 124 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a television receiver. In this case, the display unit 124 and the information processing device 10 may be configured to be able to communicate with each other via wired or wireless communication.

[0065] 1 shows an example in which the operation unit 122 is connected to the information processing device 10 via a cable, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The operation unit 122 and the information processing device 10 may be separated and configured to be able to communicate with each other via wireless communication (for example, BLE or Wi-Fi (registered trademark)).

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

[0067] 18, first, a user connects a cassette to cassette connector 128 of information processing device 10. Then, cassette connector 128 reads out the game application data stored in the cassette. Next, control unit 100 starts up the game application based on the read out data (S101).

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

[0069] Next, based on the acquired operation information, the operation control unit 106 generates control information for controlling the operation of the cart 20. Then, the communication unit 120 transmits the control information to the corresponding cart 20 in accordance with the control of the operation control unit 106 (S105).

[0070] Thereafter, the trolley 20 moves on the mat 30 in accordance with the received control information (S107). Then, every time the trolley 20 moves to another unit area, it reads the position information recorded in that unit area (S109). Then, the trolley 20 transmits the read position information and the identification information of the trolley 20 to the information processing device 10 (S111).

[0071] Thereafter, the mat information identifying unit 104 of the information processing device 10 identifies the mat ID of the mat 30 on which the corresponding dolly 20 is placed, based on the received position information (S113).

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

[0073] Thereafter, the corresponding cart 20 operates in accordance with the received operation control information (S119).

[0074] <2-3. Effects> As described above, the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment can identify the mat ID of the mat 30 based on information (such as position information) read from the mat 30 by the cart 20 placed on the mat 30. Therefore, even if different types of mats 30 are created for different types of game applications, the information processing device 10 can accurately identify the type of mat 30 being used by the user. Then, it can execute appropriate processing according to the type of mat 30.

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

[0076] 19, it may happen that the trolley 20 moves outside the mat 30 during the game. In such a case, the trolley 20 will be unable to acquire position information, and the information processing device 10 will also be unable to know the position information of the trolley 20, which may result in making it difficult to continue the game.

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

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

[0079] {3-1-1. External force detection unit 110} The external force detection unit 110 detects the presence or absence of an external force acting on the dolly 20 and 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 strength of the external force based on a history of values sensed by a motor rotation sensor (sensor unit 228) in the dolly 20. Alternatively, the external force detection unit 110 detects the presence or absence of an external force and the strength of the external force by comparing a value sensed by an acceleration sensor (sensor unit 228) in the dolly 20 with an estimated result of the movement speed of the dolly 20 (that is, the movement speed of the dolly 20 estimated based on the difference between the timing when the previous position information was acquired and the timing when new position information is acquired).

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

[0081] (3-1-2-1. Control Example 1) As an example, if it is determined that the trolley 20 has moved outside the mat 30, the operation control unit 106 may back up the trolley 20, as indicated by arrow A in Figure 21, until the trolley 20 can acquire position information again.

[0082] (3-1-2-2. Control example 2) Alternatively, when it is determined that the cart 20 has moved outside the mat 30, the operation control unit 106 may move the cart 20 forward in an arc with a predetermined radius, as indicated by arrow A in Fig. 22, until it becomes possible to acquire position information about the cart 20 again. Alternatively, as indicated by arrow A in Fig. 23, the operation control unit 106 may move the cart 20 forward in a spiral (for example, by gradually increasing the radius) until it becomes possible to acquire position information about the cart 20 again. According to this control example 2, for example, when a cart 20 on which a toy 40 (for example, a special creature) with an unnatural shape that would cause it to move backward is placed is located outside the mat 30, the cart 20 can be moved into the mat 30 while giving a natural impression to the user.

[0083] (3-1-2-3. Control example 3) Alternatively, if it is determined that the trolley 20 has moved outside the mat 30, the operation control unit 106 may first determine the current positional relationship between the trolley 20 and the mat 30 based on the sensing results of the trolley 20 acquired by the information acquisition unit 102, and then move the trolley 20 according to the determined positional relationship, for example, as shown by arrow A in Figure 24, until the trolley 20 can acquire positional information again.

[0084] A specific example of a method for identifying the positional relationship between the trolley 20 and the mat 30 will be described below. For example, the operation control unit 106 may identify the current positional relationship between the trolley 20 and the mat 30 based on a history of values sensed by a motor rotation sensor (sensor unit 228) in the trolley 20, which values are acquired by the information acquisition unit 102. As an example, the operation control unit 106 may identify the current positional relationship between the trolley 20 and the mat 30 based on the position information last acquired by the trolley 20 and a history of sensing results of the number of rotations of the motor in the trolley 20 from the time when the trolley 20 acquired the position information.

[0085] Alternatively, the movement control unit 106 may further identify the current positional relationship between the cart 20 and the mat 30 based on the result of external force detection by the external force detection unit 110. For example, the movement control unit 106 may identify the current positional relationship between the cart 20 and the mat 30 based on the position information last acquired by the cart 20 and the degree of 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.Effects> As described above, when it is determined that the trolley 20 has moved outside the mat 30, the information processing device 10 according to the second embodiment can appropriately return the trolley 20 to the inside of the mat 30. Therefore, for example, even if the trolley 20 moves outside the mat 30 during a game, the game can be continued without any problems.

[0087] <<4. Third Embodiment>> The second embodiment has been described above. Next, the third embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the third embodiment will be described. As described above, the information processing device 10 and each of the dollies 20 basically communicate via wireless communication. Therefore, if the connection between the information processing device 10 and the dolly 20 is temporarily cut off, the information processing device 10 will be unable to control the dolly 20. Furthermore, the user generally cannot know that the connection between the information processing device 10 and the dolly 20 has been cut off, which can be confusing for the user.

[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 device 10 and the dolly 20 has been cut off.

[0089] <4-1. Cart 20> {4-1-1. Example of operation 1} When the cart 20 according to the third embodiment loses connection with the information processing device 10, it can automatically move to a predetermined area 310 within the mat 30, as shown in FIG. 25 . Here, the predetermined area 310 may be printed on the mat 30. As shown in FIG. 25 , in addition to an area 310a for when a pairing problem occurs, for example, an area 310b for when the battery of the cart 20 runs low, an area 310c for when the game is over, and an area 310d for when other abnormalities occur may also be printed on the mat 30. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 25 , for each area 310, an image or message indicating the type of area 310 may be printed on the mat 30 or displayed on the display unit 124 in association with the area 310. This allows the user to know that an abnormality or the like is currently occurring and the type of the abnormality.

[0090] {4-1-2. Example of operation 2} Alternatively, the movement pattern of the dolly 20 may be associated in advance with the meaning indicated by the movement pattern. For example, when the connection between the information processing device 10 and the dolly 20 is cut off, the dolly 20 may automatically move with a movement pattern associated with "disconnection." Alternatively, when the dolly 20 is waiting for an instruction from the information processing device 10, the dolly 20 may automatically move with a ticking motion (like a clock) as shown in FIG. 26. Alternatively, when the battery of the dolly 20 runs low, the dolly 20 may automatically tip over.

[0091] <4-2.Effects> As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the connection between the information processing device 10 and the dolly 20 is cut off, the user can be notified that the connection has been cut off.

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

[0093] Basically, the size of one mat 30 is predetermined. Therefore, if a plurality of mats 30 can be joined together as shown in Fig. 27, the user can freely increase the size of the mat 30, which is desirable.

[0094] However, essentially the same position information is recorded in the same unit area in different mats 30. For this reason, when the trolley 20 moves between mats 30, if the position information recorded on the mat 30 after movement is used as the position information of the trolley 20 as is, the position of the trolley 20 will be recognized erroneously. For example, as shown at point P2 in FIG. 28, when the trolley 20 moves from one end of the mat 30a (the upper end shown in FIG. 28) to one end of the mat 30b, the trolley 20 reads from the mat 30b the same position information as the position information recorded on the other end of the mat 30a (the lower end shown in FIG. 28).

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

[0096] <5-1. Combining Mat 30> In the fourth embodiment, when a user combines multiple mats 30, an initial setting may be performed to set the multiple mats 30 as a group. For example, as the initial setting, the cart 20 may move all of the multiple mats 30 successively, for example, once each, based on the control of the information processing device 10 or the operation of the user. This allows the information processing device 10 to recognize that the multiple mats 30 are a group.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 29, it is desirable that each corner 32 of each mat 30 is provided with a hole that can be connected using a block (construction set). This allows the user to easily connect or separate multiple mats 30, as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 29.

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

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

[0100] In addition, when it is determined that the trolley 20 has moved to another mat 30, the information processing device 10 can also determine the positional relationship between the two mats 30 (such as the angle between the mats 30) based on the previously acquired position information, the newly acquired position information, and the direction of movement of the trolley 20.

[0101] - Judgment example 2 Alternatively, the control unit 100 can determine whether the cart 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 cart 20. For example, if it is recognized based on the image captured by the position sensor 228a that there is an area (gap) where no mat 30 exists 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 cart 20 has moved to another mat 30. Whether a mat 30 exists directly below the position sensor 228a may be determined based on, for example, the amount of change in the focal length of the position sensor 228a (camera).

[0102] (5-2-1-2. Determining the connection with other mats 30) As described above, the position sensor 228a may be located at the end of the cart 20. Therefore, when the cart 20 reaches the end of the mat 30a while it is moving, the control unit 100 can determine 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 , if it is recognized that another mat 30b exists directly below the position sensor 228a when the center of the cart 20 reaches the end of the mat 30a based on the recognition result of the image captured by the position sensor 228a, the control unit 100 determines that the mat 30a is connected to another mat 30b. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 31 , if it is recognized that another mat 30b does not exist directly below the position sensor 228a when the center of the cart 20 reaches the end of the mat 30a based on the recognition result of the image captured by the position sensor 228a, the control unit 100 determines that the mat 30a is not connected to another mat 30b. According to this particular example, it is possible to prevent the dolly 20 from falling off the mat 30a.

[0103] <5-3.Effects> As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when multiple mats 30 are connected together, it is possible to accurately determine that the trolley 20 has moved to another mat 30 at the timing when the trolley 20 moves between each of the multiple mats 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 because it increases the degree of freedom of the game if the user can add game objects (for example, obstacles, zones, items, courses in a racing game, etc.) to the existing mat 30. For example, as shown in Fig. 32, it is desirable for the user to be able to add polygons 50 corresponding to individual objects to the existing mat 30.

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

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

[0108] {6-1-2. Setting example 2} 34, for example, in a predetermined setting mode, a plurality of carts 20 may be placed on the mat 30. In this case, the same position as or a 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 Bezier curve may be formed based on the detection results of the angles of each of the multiple trolleys 20 placed on the mat 30 relative to the mat 30, and the position and shape of the polygon 50 may be determined based on the Bezier curve. For example, the angle of each trolley 20 relative to the mat 30 may be determined 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, the user may be able to dynamically change a course that has been set on the mat 30. For example, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 35, in a predetermined setting mode, the cart 20 first automatically loops on a course that has already been set. Then, when the cart 20 reaches a position on the course that the user wishes to change (point A in the example shown in FIG. 35), 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 that it passes through point B (instead of point A).

[0111] Note that even when the course is defined by a Bezier curve, the shape of the course can be changed in a similar manner. For example, when the cart 20 is looping on an already set course, the shape of the course may be changed by the user moving the cart 20 on the mat 30 while pressing the switch 222a of the cart 20.

[0112] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 36, the user may be able to dynamically add a new vertex (or point) to a course that has already been set. For example, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 36, in a predetermined setting mode, first, the vehicle 20 automatically loops on the course that has already been set. Then, when the vehicle 20 reaches a position where the user wishes to add a vertex (point A in the example shown in Fig. 36), if the user presses switch 222a of the vehicle 20, a new vertex can be added to the corresponding position on the course.

[0113] {6-1-4. Setting example 4} (6-1-4-1. Paper and stickers) Alternatively, polygons 50 may be added by a user placing a sheet of medium on the mat 30, on which special information different from the position information is recorded. Here, the sheet of medium is an example of a second sheet of medium according to the present disclosure. The special information may be a type of arrangement pattern (second arrangement pattern) different from the arrangement pattern associated with the position information printed on the mat 30. For example, the second arrangement pattern may be associated with a type of object. Alternatively, the second arrangement pattern may define control information related to the operation of the cart 20. For example, the control information includes information for controlling at least one of the movement speed, operation pattern, and rotational operation of the cart 20. Furthermore, the area of the second arrangement pattern is generally 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 , a user cuts paper (or sticker) 44a into a desired shape with scissors or a cutter, and then places the cut pieces of paper 44b and 44c in desired positions on the mat 30. As a result, the areas on the mat 30 where paper 44b and paper 44c are placed become areas where special information is recorded, respectively. For example, when the cart 20 reaches the area where paper 44b or paper 44c is placed, the cart 20 can read the information recorded on paper 44b or paper 44c (instead of the position information).

[0115] For example, in the case of a racing game, as shown in Figure 38, a piece of paper 44a on which information corresponding to the starting point is recorded and a piece of paper 44b on which information corresponding to the finishing point is recorded are placed on the mat 30, allowing the user to specify the starting point and finishing point in the racing game.

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

[0117] Alternatively, in the case of an RPG (role-playing game), a piece of paper on which information indicating a treasure chest or information indicating a trap may be placed on the mat 30.

[0118] (6-1-4-2. Transparent sticker) Furthermore, by using, for example, an infrared filter, it is possible to create a transparent sticker 44 on which special information is recorded. As shown in Figure 37, by placing a transparent sticker 44 on the mat 30, it is possible to add special information to 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 location information) 40, when the dolly 20 moves over the sheet-like medium 44 on which special information is recorded, the dolly 20 is temporarily unable to acquire position information (because the mat 30 is covered with the sheet-like medium 44). For this reason, the information processing device 10 may lose track of the position information of the dolly 20.

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

[0121] <6-2.Effects> As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the user can freely and easily add game objects (for example, obstacles, zones, items, courses for racing games, etc.) to an existing mat 30.

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

[0123] <7-1. Book Structure> In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 41 , a book 70 is constructed by constructing each page with a mat 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 41 , each left page of the book 70 may contain an explanation, and each right page may contain a game page. For example, when a predetermined event is failed, a transition to "page 22" may be instructed, and when the game is cleared, a transition to "page 50" may be instructed. In this way, a book 70 such as a "Choose your own adventure" book may be constructed. The user can enjoy an RPG by repeatedly turning pages and moving the cart 20 on the turned page.

[0124] 41, holes 700 may be formed in the edges of some or all of the pages (mats 30). This allows the user to easily turn to the next page when the dolly 20 moving over a page is dropped into the hole 700 in the page.

[0125] 42, it is desirable to provide a slope around the hole 700. This makes it easier for the dolly 20 to move (escape) from the hole 700 when the page is turned over.

[0126] <<8. Seventh Embodiment>> The sixth embodiment has been described above. Next, the seventh embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the seventh embodiment will be described. It is expected that some users will cheat or obstruct their opponents during the game. For example, as shown in FIG. 43, it is expected that some users will touch or move their own or their opponents' carts 20 without permission. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to appropriately determine such cheating.

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

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

[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 dolly 20, it can further determine whether the external force has been generated by a human hand or by another object (for example, an object placed on the mat 30). For example, if it is determined that the movement direction of the dolly 20 identified from the value sensed by the acceleration sensor (sensor unit 228) in the dolly 20 is opposite to the movement direction identified from the value sensed by the motor rotation sensor (sensor unit 228) in the dolly 20, the external force detection unit 110 determines that the external force has been generated by a human hand. A specific example of such a case is when the motor in the dolly 20 attempts to move forward, but the dolly 20 is actually moved backward by a human hand.

[0130] <8-2.Effects> As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not cheating has been performed on the cart 20 during a game.

[0131] <<9. Eighth Embodiment>> The seventh embodiment has been described above. Next, the eighth embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the eighth embodiment will be described. It is also desirable for a user to be able to select a desired game from a plurality of types of games. Furthermore, it is desirable for a user to be able to intuitively select a 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 paper 72 on which a "game selection menu" is printed may be used, as shown in Fig. 44. The game selection menu may include a plurality of game selection areas 720 and a plurality of other function selection areas 722. Information corresponding to each of the game selection areas 720 and the other function selection areas 722 (such as an arrangement pattern) may be recorded, and the cart 20 may be able to read this information.

[0134] 44, when a user places the dolly 20 located outside the paper 72 on the selection area 720c for game 3, the dolly 20 reads the information recorded in the area 720c, and the information processing device 10 receives the information from the dolly 20, thereby determining that "game 3" has been selected. Then, the information processing device 10 can start "game 3."

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

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

[0137] <9-2.Effects> 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 to the creation of the ninth embodiment will be described. As described with reference to FIG. 2 and other figures, for example, due to mechanical or electrical reasons, the position sensor 228a (of the trolley 20) may be attached at a distance from the center of the trolley 20 in the horizontal direction. As a result, the position information read by the trolley 20 from the mat 30 may differ significantly from the position information corresponding to the center of the trolley 20. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 45, the position information 320 corresponding to the position sensor 228a is (7, 3), while the position information 322 corresponding to the center of the trolley 20 is (5, 5). Therefore, the position information of the trolley 20 recognized by the information processing device 10 may differ significantly from the position information of the trolley 20 recognized by the user, which may cause confusion or inconvenience to the user, for example, during a game.

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

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

[0141] {10-1-1. Location information correction unit 112} The position information correcting unit 112 corrects the position information acquired from the bogie 20 based on the mounting position of the position sensor 228a relative to the bogie 20. For example, the position information correcting unit 112 corrects the position information acquired from the bogie 20 to position information corresponding to approximately the center of the bogie 20, which is identified from the mounting position of the position sensor 228a. As an example, as shown in FIG. 47 , the distances in the x and y directions between the mounting position of the position sensor 228a and the center point of the bogie 20 may each be identified in advance, for example, when the bogie 20 is designed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 48 , the position information correcting unit 112 first corrects the x coordinate acquired from the bogie 20 using the distance in the x direction between the mounting position of the position sensor 228a and the center point of the bogie 20, and then corrects the y coordinate acquired from the bogie 20 using the distance in the y direction between the mounting position of the position sensor 228a and the center point of the bogie 20. As a result, position information corresponding to approximately the center of the bogie 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.Effects> As described above, the information processing device 10 according to the ninth embodiment corrects the position information acquired from the dolly 20 to position information corresponding to approximately the center of the dolly 20. Therefore, the position information of the dolly 20 recognized by the information processing device 10 and the position information of the dolly 20 recognized by the user become approximately the same, allowing the user to play the game without any problems.

[0144] <<11. Tenth Embodiment>> The ninth embodiment has been described above. Next, the tenth embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the tenth embodiment will be described. For example, when the number of operation units 122 and carts 20 used in the same environment increases, the user may lose track of the correspondence between the individual operation units 122 and the individual carts 20. Furthermore, the user may lose track of which of the multiple carts 20 is the cart 20 that the user is to operate. As a result, the user may mistakenly operate another cart 20b as the cart that the user is to operate (for example, the user may place a toy 40 on another cart 20b without permission).

[0145] As will be described later, according to the tenth embodiment, the user can easily associate each operation unit 122 with each cart 20.

[0146] <11-1. Pairing> In the tenth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49, each operation unit 122 has special information. The special information (such as an array pattern) may be printed on the area 44, or a sheet-like medium (such as paper or a sticker) on which the special information is recorded may be attached. In this case, when the user brings the dolly 20 close to or into contact with the area 44 on which the special information is printed (or the area on which the sheet-like medium on which the special information is recorded is attached), the dolly 20 may read the special information and transmit the read information to the information processing device 10. Then, the information processing device 10 may pair the corresponding operation unit 122 with the corresponding dolly 20 based on the received information.

[0147] <11-2. Output control unit 108> The output control unit 108 according to the eleventh embodiment may cause the display unit 224 (such as an LED) of the paired trolley 20 and the display unit (such as an LED or LCD) installed on the operation unit 122 to emit light in the same color or with the same blinking pattern for each pair of trolley 20 and operation unit 122.

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

[0149] <<12. Eleventh Embodiment>> The tenth embodiment has been described above. Next, the eleventh embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the eleventh embodiment will be described. It is also desirable to be able to play a soccer game using a plurality of carts 20 arranged on a mat 30.

[0150] In known robot soccer games, the ball is often recognized based on the recognition of images captured by a camera. However, the design costs of such cameras and image recognition systems can be high.

[0151] Furthermore, in many cases, one user can only control one robot player. Therefore, while a computer could be used to automatically control the movements of the other robot players, it is desirable that the other robot players be able to operate appropriately during the game.

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

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

[0154] As shown in FIG. 50, a toy 40 in the shape of a player may be placed on the player's carriage 20. A toy 40c in the shape of a ball may be placed on the ball carriage 24. For example, a user may move the player's carriage 20 to cause the toy 40 on the player's carriage 20 to collide with the toy 40c on the ball carriage 24. As a result, as will be described later, the ball carriage 24 may 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 may be printed on the mat 30.

[0155] {12-1-1. Ball Cart 24} Figure 51 is an example of a bottom view of the ball cart 24. As in the ball cart 24a and the ball cart 24b shown in Figure 51, a plurality of omni-wheels 256 may be installed on the bottom surface of the ball cart 24. This allows the ball cart 24 to 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 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. This causes the ball cart 24 to fall, thereby realizing a movement similar to that of a bouncing ball.

[0157] Alternatively, like the ball cart 24d shown in Figure 51, the bottom surface of the ball cart 24 may not be provided with wheels or the like, and may be coated with a specific paint to reduce the coefficient of friction of the bottom surface. This allows the ball cart 24 to slide on the mat 30 when the player cart 20 collides with the ball cart 24.

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

[0159] {12-2-1. Operation control unit 106} (12-2-1-1. Control of the player's carriage 20) The movement control unit 106 according to the eleventh embodiment moves each player's carriage 20 associated with, for example, an operation unit 122 based on a user's operation on the operation unit 122 associated with that player's carriage 20. Furthermore, the movement control unit 106 controls the movement of each player's carriage 20 that is not associated with an operation unit 122 based on position information acquired from the ball carriage 24 and, for example, the results of a predetermined algorithm or machine learning.

[0160] In the example shown in Fig. 52, it is assumed that no user is operating the player's carriage 20b and the role of goalkeeper is set to the player's carriage 20b. In this case, the movement control unit 106 may move the player's carriage 20b in only one direction (the x direction in the example shown in Fig. 52) in accordance with the movement of the player's carriage 20a corresponding to the opposing team's offensive player. In other words, the movement control unit 106 may sequentially move the player's carriage 20b so that the x coordinate of the player's carriage 20b is always approximately the same as the x coordinate of the player's carriage 20a.

[0161] (12-2-1-2. Control of the ball carriage 24) Furthermore, the movement control unit 106 can control the movement of the ball cart 24 according to the detection result of the collision of the player cart 20 with the ball cart 24. For example, the movement control unit 106 moves the ball cart 24 at a distance, movement direction, and speed according to the sensing results such as the collision position, collision direction, and acceleration at the time of collision of the player cart 20 with the ball cart 24. This makes it possible to move the ball cart 24 as if it had actually been kicked.

[0162] Alternatively, (as described above) the information processing device 10 may not control the movement of the ball cart 24. In this case, when the player cart 20 collides with the ball cart 24, the ball cart 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 whether or not "foul play" has occurred based on the detection results of collisions between multiple player carriages 20 during a soccer game. For example, as shown in FIG. 53, it is assumed that a player carriage 20b being operated by a certain user (hereinafter referred to as "player 2") (or being controlled by the information processing device 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) instructed by player 2 (or the information processing device 10). As an example, the control unit 100 compares the movement direction indicated by the operation information of player 2 (or the control information of the information processing device 10) with the movement direction identified from the sensing results 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 instructed by player 2 (or the information processing device 10).

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

[0165] <12-3.Effects> As described above, according to the eleventh embodiment, a soccer game can be realized at low cost using a plurality of carriages 20 arranged on the mat 30. Furthermore, during a soccer game, one or more player carriages 20 that are not being operated by the user can be moved automatically and appropriately.

[0166] <<13. Twelfth Embodiment>> The eleventh embodiment has been described above. Next, the twelfth embodiment will be described. As will be described later, according to the twelfth embodiment, it is possible to realize a racing game using a plurality of carts 20 arranged on a mat 30, as shown in FIG.

[0167] <13-1.Configuration> First, the configuration according to the twelfth embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing device 10 according to the twelfth embodiment may be the same as those in the ninth embodiment (shown in FIG. 46). Only the components having functions different from those in the ninth embodiment will be described below.

[0168] {13-1-1. Operation control unit 106} (13-1-1-1. Operation control when passing through special areas) The operation control unit 106 according to the twelfth embodiment controls the operation of the cart 20 based on control information corresponding to an arrangement pattern read by the cart 20 from a sheet-like medium (paper or sticker) placed on the mat 30. An arrangement pattern associated with the addition of an item (for example, a "speed up," "obstacle," or "weapon") to the cart 20 can be recorded on the sheet-like medium.

[0169] 55, when the dolly 20 passes over a sticker 44a corresponding to "speed up," the operation control unit 106 controls the dolly 20 so that the speed of the dolly 20 increases based on the information read by the dolly 20 from the sticker 44a. Alternatively, when the dolly 20 passes over a sticker 44b corresponding to a "weapon," the operation control unit 106 stores in the memory unit 130, based on the information read by the dolly 20 from the sticker 44b, that the dolly 20 has acquired the corresponding "weapon."

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

[0171] (13-1-1-2. Game start control) As another control example, the movement control unit 106 may perform control so that the racing game does not start until the position information of, for example, all of the trolleys 20 placed on the mat 30 has been read from the mat 30 (for example, the movement control unit 106 may suppress the movement of all of the trolleys 20). Alternatively, the movement control unit 106 may perform control so that the racing game does not start unless all of the trolleys 20 to participate in the racing game are positioned at predetermined start positions on the mat 30. Alternatively, the movement control unit 106 may perform control so that the racing game does not start unless a start sound for the racing game is output from, for example, the audio output unit 126.

[0172] (13-1-1-3. Controlling the attack) As another control example, if the cart 20a is holding some kind of "weapon" item, and When a user presses a predetermined button (e.g., an "attack button") on the operation unit 122 (associated with the dolly 20a), the movement control unit 106 can determine whether an attack on the dolly 20b is successful or not based on the positional relationship between the dolly 20a and another dolly 20b (e.g., the orientation of the dolly 20a relative to the dolly 20b and the distance between the dollies 20a) and the type of "weapon." Furthermore, when it is determined that the attack on the dolly 20b is successful (e.g., the "weapon" hits the dolly 20b), as shown in FIG. 57, the movement control unit 106 can control the movement of the dolly 20b as if the dolly 20b had been attacked. For example, the movement control unit 106 controls the rotation of the motor in the dolly 20b to spin. The positional relationship between the dolly 20b and the dolly 20a can be identified based on the positional information and angle information of each dolly 20.

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

[0174] {13-1-3. Changing the setting information} (13-1-3-1. Specifying environmental conditions) Note that the user may be able to change the environmental conditions (e.g., weather, climate, or stage) during the racing game based on the user's operation on a touch menu 54 as shown in FIG. 58. For example, the touch menu 54 may allow the user to specify the slipperiness of the course, the ease of acceleration, etc. Furthermore, the touch menu 54 may allow the user to select the type of course (e.g., mud course, dirt course, ice course, or space course, etc.). Furthermore, the touch menu 54 may allow the user to specify the weather (sunny, rainy, etc.) and wind strength during the racing game.

[0175] When an environmental condition is specified in the touch menu 54, the operation control unit 106 can control the operation of all the carriages 20 during the racing game based on the specified environmental condition (weather, climate, stage, etc.). Furthermore, the output control unit 108 may cause the display unit 124 to display information (such as text or an image) indicating the specified environmental condition.

[0176] 58, the touch menu 54 may be printed on paper (such as a card). In this case, the user may set the environmental condition by bringing the cart 20 close to an area 540 in the touch menu 54 that corresponds to a desired environmental condition among the areas 540 corresponding to the individual environmental conditions, and having the cart 20 read the information recorded in that area 540. 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 that screen.

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

[0178] When the "difficulty level specification" is made, the operation control unit 106 may limit the maximum rotation speed of the motors of all the carriages 20 during the racing game in accordance with the specified difficulty level. This makes it possible to change the difficulty level of the racing game.

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

[0180] <<14. Thirteenth Embodiment>> The twelfth embodiment has been described above. Next, the thirteenth embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the thirteenth embodiment will be described. It is also desirable to be able to realize a battle game using a plurality of trolleys 20 placed on a mat 30. This battle game may be a game in which the winner is determined to be the player who first pushes the opponent's trolley 20 off the mat 30 (or a predetermined area on the mat 30) or who first overturns the opponent's trolley 20. In this battle game, the difficulty level of the game may change depending on the shape of the toys 40 placed on each trolley 20. Therefore, if the user can freely select (or create) the toys 40 to be placed on the trolley 20, the degree of freedom in strategy will be increased.

[0181] However, if the outcome of a battle game is determined by a human being, it may be difficult to determine which cart 20 has won. As a result, other users may feel that the determination result is unfair.

[0182] As will be described later, according to the thirteenth embodiment, when a battle game is played using a plurality of carriages 20 arranged on a mat 30, it is possible to appropriately determine the outcome.

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

[0184] {14-1-1. Control unit 100} The control unit 100 according to the thirteenth embodiment can determine whether the multiple trolleys 20 playing in a battle game have won or lost, based on sensing information acquired from the multiple trolleys 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 59, the control unit 100 determines that the trolley 20a has fallen over based on the measurement results of an acceleration sensor (sensor unit 228) in the trolley 20a, and thereby determines that the trolley 20a has lost (i.e., the trolley 20b has won). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 60, the control unit 100 determines that the trolley 20b has lost (i.e., the trolley 20a has won), based on the history of position information read by the trolley 20b, and thereby determines that the trolley 20b has been pushed out of the mat 30 (while the trolley 20a was located inside the mat 30).

[0185] Note that instead of the battle being conducted by the user simply operating each trolley 20, the battle may be conducted by the continuous rotation of each trolley 20, as shown in FIG. 61. In this case, the toy 40 (shape, etc.) placed on the trolley 20 may improve the UX (User Experience). Note that it is desirable to rotate only the toy 40 placed on the trolley 20 (without rotating the trolley 20 itself). Furthermore, the speed of the rotation may be changed by barrages on the operation unit 122.

[0186] {14-1-2. Operation control unit 106} The movement control unit 106 according to the thirteenth embodiment can control the movement of each of the trolleys 20 based on attribute information associated with each of the trolleys 20 participating in the battle game. For example, the movement control unit 106 controls the movement of each of the trolleys 20 based on a stamina value associated with each of the trolleys 20. As an example, if the stamina value associated with the trolley 20a is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold and the trolley 20a collides with another trolley 20b, as shown in FIG. 62, the movement control unit 106 automatically controls the trolley 20a so that the trolley 20a moves in the same direction as the movement of the trolley 20b (regardless of the user's operation on the trolley 20a). This makes it possible to virtually represent that the trolley 20a is short of stamina.

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

[0188] {14-1-3. Changing attribute information} Note that, for example, the attribute information associated with the trolley 20 may be changed by bringing the trolley 20 into contact with or approaching an attribute card 56 as shown in FIG. 63. More specifically, when the trolley 20 reads the arrangement pattern recorded on the attribute card 56, attribute information corresponding to the arrangement pattern can be newly associated with the trolley 20. As shown in FIG. 63, the attribute card 56 may have a plurality of character regions 560 and a plurality of skill regions 562. When the trolley 20 comes into contact with or approaches one of the plurality of character regions 560, attribute information corresponding to the region 560 can be newly associated with the trolley 20. In the example shown in FIG. 63, the attribute information corresponding to the character region 560a indicates high speed and low strength. The attribute information corresponding to the character region 560b indicates high strength and low stamina. Furthermore, when the trolley 20 is brought into contact with or close to one of the plurality of skill areas 562, attribute information indicating that the skill (or magic or weapon) corresponding to the area 562 can be used at least once can be newly associated with the trolley 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, the attribute information associated with each trolley 20 may be changed for each trolley 20 based on an operation on the setting screen.

[0189] (14-1-3-1. Variation) 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] Alternatively, a different arrangement pattern (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 associate attribute information with the carts 20 and play (play like a card game) without knowing what attribute information is associated with each attribute card 58. Note that the above-described methods for setting attribute information can also be applied to the twelfth embodiment (racing game).

[0191] <14-2.Effects> As described above, according to the thirteenth embodiment, it is possible to realize a battle game using a plurality of carts 20 arranged on the mat 30. Furthermore, the outcome of the battle game can be determined automatically and appropriately.

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

[0193] In the fourteenth embodiment, for example, a user can select game rules based on a user's operation on the rule selection menu 60 shown in FIG. 66 . As shown in FIG. 66 , conditions for winning or losing the game may be selectable, such as falling over, falling off the mat 30, or moving outside the mat 30. Furthermore, with regard to 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. Furthermore, with regard to the mat 30, for example, use of "Mat A," use of "Mat B," use of a combination of "Mat A," "Mat B," and "Mat C," or no use of a mat 30 at all may be selectable. Furthermore, with regard to operation settings, for example, a wheel control mode, a user control mode, or the like may be selectable. Furthermore, with regard to computer settings (e.g., settings related to computer players), for example, automatic escape, automatic pursuit, or random movement may be selectable.

[0194] 66, the rule selection menu 60 may be printed on paper (such as a card). In this case, the rules of the game may be set by the user bringing the cart 20 close to an area 600 corresponding to a desired rule among the areas 600 corresponding to individual rules in the rule selection menu 60, and having the cart 20 read the information recorded in that area 600. Alternatively, 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 that screen.

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

[0196] <<16. Fifteenth Embodiment>> The fourteenth embodiment has been described above. Next, the fifteenth embodiment will be described. As will be described later, according to the fifteenth embodiment, a maze game including an educational element can be realized using the cart 20 and the mat 30.

[0197] <16-1. Overview> FIG. 67 is a diagram showing an example of a maze game according to the fifteenth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 67, the maze game may use a mat 30 on which an illustration of a maze is printed, and multiple types of tiles 62 for controlling the movement of a cart 20 on the mat 30. For example, a user first places one cart 20b at a start position on the mat 30. Then, as shown in FIG. 67, the user forms a command sequence 64 by arranging one or more predetermined tiles 62 in a line. Thereafter, when the user places one cart 20a at one end of the command sequence 64, the cart 20a automatically moves along the command sequence 64 and reads commands (control information) recorded in each tile 62 included in the command sequence 64. The movement of the cart 20b is then controlled based on the read commands.

[0198] FIG. 68 is a diagram showing an example of a tile 62. As shown in FIG. 68, for example, Types of tiles 62 may be provided, such as move backward 62a, move forward one square 62b, rotate left 62c, rotate right 62d, play 62e, and start sequence 62f.

[0199] <16-2. Composition> Next, a configuration according to the fifteenth embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing device 10 according to the fifteenth embodiment may be the same as those in the ninth embodiment (shown in FIG. 46). Only components having functions different from those in the ninth embodiment will be described below.

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

[0201] The same position information may be recorded for each square on the mat 30. This allows the cart 20 to move accurately in units of one square on the mat 30, even if, for example, the rotation parameters of the motor in the cart 20 differ from the standard values.

[0202] {16-2-2. Control unit 100} The control unit 100 according to the fifteenth embodiment can determine whether the user has won or lost the game based on preset rules and the movement of the cart 20b on the mat 30. For example, the control unit 100 determines that the user has lost if the cart 20b passes through a "wall" defined on the maze, if the cart 20b reaches a "fire" mark before reaching a "water" mark, if the cart 20b reaches a "monster" mark before reaching a "sword" mark, or if the cart 20b reaches a "treasure chest" mark before reaching a "key" mark. Furthermore, if the cart 20b reaches the "treasure chest" mark without satisfying 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.Effects> As described above, according to the fifteenth embodiment, the movement of the cart 20 in the maze game is controlled based on a command sequence consisting of one or more tiles arranged by the user. In other words, to clear the maze game, the user needs to arrange multiple tiles of different types in an appropriate order according to the type of maze. In this way, according to the fifteenth embodiment, a maze game that includes an element of education (such as programming) can be realized using the cart 20 and the mat 30.

[0204] <<17. Sixteenth Embodiment>> The fifteenth embodiment has been described above. Next, the sixteenth embodiment will be described. First, the background that led to the creation of the sixteenth embodiment will be described. Up until now, there have been almost no games that include both play elements and puzzle elements.

[0205] As will be described later, according to the sixteenth embodiment, a castle crushing game using a cart 20 and blocks (construction set) can be realized. The castle crushing game can include both a play element and a puzzle element.

[0206] In the castle destruction game according to the sixteenth embodiment, for example, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 69, the user first builds a castle 66a using blocks. Then, the user places a dolly 20a on the built castle 66a. After that, the user attempts to destroy the castle 66a by using the operation unit 122 to move another dolly 20b carrying a toy (such as a weapon) 40b.

[0207] As shown in the right diagram of FIG. 69, when it is detected that the castle 66a has been destroyed and the dolly 20a has fallen, 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 be changed depending on whether the castle is constructed sturdily or not. In other words, according to the sixteenth embodiment, a game that includes both a play element and a puzzle element can be realized using the cart 20 and blocks.

[0209] <<18. Seventeenth Embodiment>> The sixteenth embodiment has been described above. Next, the seventeenth embodiment will be described. As will be described later, according to the seventeenth 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, it is possible to realize, for example, living creature-like movements.

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

[0211] <18-2. Composition> Next, a configuration according to the seventeenth embodiment will be described. The components included in the information processing device 10 according to the seventeenth embodiment may be the same as those in the ninth embodiment (shown in FIG. 46). Below, only components having functions different from those in the ninth embodiment will be described. As described above, an information processing device 10 may be provided in each of the two carts 20. It should be noted that the cooperative control of the ninth embodiment may be performed through communication between the information processing devices 10 provided in each of the two carts 20. The cooperative control example of the ninth embodiment may also be performed through communication between the information processing device 10 having the operation unit 122 and multiple carts 20. For example, first, the information processing device 10 having the operation unit 122 may issue movement information (instructions) to only one cart 20. Then, the one cart 20 may provide the received movement information (or operation information based on the movement information) to the other cart 20. Then, the other carriage 20 may execute a cooperative operation according to the one carriage 20 based on the movement information provided by the one carriage 20 .

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

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

[0214] (18-2-1-1. First example of cooperative control: movement of a caterpillar) Here, specific examples of cooperative control will be described with reference to Figures 70 to 77. Figure 70 is a diagram showing a first cooperative control example of the carriage set 26. As shown in Figure 70, the first cooperative control example is an example in which the two carriages 20 (cart set 26a) are controlled to move in a movement pattern similar to that of a cricket (hereinafter referred to as the first movement pattern).

[0215] For example, first, a first movement pattern may be associated with the trolley set 26a based on the user bringing the trolley set 26a closer to a predetermined sheet-like medium. Thereafter, in the initial setting mode, the information processing device 10 (control unit 100) may recognize the distance between the two trolleys 20 when the user places the two trolleys 20, for example, on the mat 30, as the upper limit distance, and record this in the storage unit 130. Furthermore, the control unit 100 may determine which of the two trolleys 20 is the head trolley 20a based on the orientations (angle information) of the two trolleys 20.

[0216] Thereafter, the movement control unit 106 causes each of the two carriages 20 to repeatedly move toward and away from each other. For example, the movement control unit 106 first causes the head carriage 20a to move backward at an accelerated rate until the distance from the tail carriage 20b becomes, for example, one-third of the upper limit distance (i.e., causes the head carriage 20a to move closer to the tail carriage 20b). Thereafter, the movement control unit 106 causes the head carriage 20a to move forward to a position where the distance from the tail carriage 20b does not exceed the upper limit distance. Thereafter, the movement control unit 106 causes the tail carriage 20b to move forward at an accelerated rate until the distance from the head carriage 20a becomes, for example, one-third of the upper limit distance (i.e., causes the tail carriage 20b to move closer to the head carriage 20a). Thereafter, the movement control unit 106 repeats the above process again. According to this cooperative control example 1, the carriage set 26a can be moved in a manner similar to that of a cricket.

[0217] (18-2-1-2. Second example of cooperative control: human walking) 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) resembling, for example, a human walking (walking on two legs).

[0218] For example, first, a second movement pattern may be associated with the trolley set 26b based on, for example, the user bringing the trolley set 26b closer to a predetermined sheet-like medium. Thereafter, in the initial setting mode, the control unit 100 may determine the right-foot-side trolley 20a and the left-foot-side trolley 20a (of the two trolleys 20) based on the positional relationship between the two trolleys 20 (trolley set 26b) when the user places the two trolleys 20 on the mat 30. Furthermore, the control unit 100 may automatically determine the set distance between the left and right feet (i.e., the distance between the right-foot-side trolley 20a and the left-foot-side trolley 20a) simultaneously based on the distance between the two trolleys 20 at the time the two trolleys 20 are placed.

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

[0220] (18-2-1-3. Third example of cooperative control: structure for grasping an object) 74 to 76 are diagrams showing a third cooperative control example of the cart set 26. As shown in Fig. 74 to 76, the third cooperative control example is an example in which the cart set 26c is controlled to move in a movement pattern (hereinafter referred to as the third movement pattern) such that the cart set 26c jumps on and grabs another object 2 placed on the mat 30, for example.

[0221] For example, first, a third movement pattern may be associated with the cart set 26c based on the user bringing the cart set 26c closer to a predetermined sheet medium. Then, in the initial setting mode, when the user places the two carts 20 (cart set 26c) on, for example, the mat 30 and presses, for example, the start button in the operation unit 122, the control unit 100 may automatically recognize the positions of the front cart 20a and the rear cart 20b (of the two carts 20). This may determine the work size of the cart set 26c (for example, the size of the paper to be pasted on the two carts 20 as shown in FIG. 74).

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

[0223] - Control example 2 Furthermore, when a predetermined condition is met, the operation control unit 106 controls the two dollies 20 so that they jump on and grab the object 2 located near the front dolly 20a, as shown in Figures 75 and 76. The predetermined condition may be a predetermined operation performed by the user on the operation unit 122, or the distance between the front dolly 20a and the rear dolly 20b becoming equal to or less than a predetermined distance. This makes it possible to realize an operation of grabbing the object 2 when the distance between the front dolly 20a and the rear dolly 20b becomes equal to or less than the predetermined distance.

[0224] It should be noted that the cart set 26c can also move while still gripping the object 2 (as shown in FIG. 76), for example, based on the control of the operation control unit 106 or the user's operation on the operation unit 122.

[0225] (18-2-1-4. Fourth example of cooperative control: movement that mimics physical phenomena) Fig. 77 is a diagram showing a fourth cooperative control example of the carriage set 26. As shown in Fig. 77, the fourth cooperative control example is an example of controlling the carriage set 26d to move in a manner that mimics a physical phenomenon (for example, a movement pattern that resembles the repulsion and attraction of two permanent magnets (hereinafter referred to as the fourth movement pattern)).

[0226] For example, first, a "magnetic attribute" may be associated with each of the dollies 20 based on the user bringing the dolly 20 close to a predetermined sheet medium. More specifically, a north pole may be associated with a portion of the dolly 20 (such as the front half), and a south pole may be associated with the remaining portion of the dolly 20 (such as the rear half).

[0227] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 77, when a plurality of trolleys 20 associated with the "magnetic attribute" are placed on the mat 30, the operation control unit 106 controls the operation of the plurality of trolleys 20 for each trolley 20a based on the "magnetic pole" associated with the portion of the trolley 20a that is closer to the other trolleys 20b and the distance between the trolley 20a and the other trolleys 20b. For example, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 77, when a portion of one trolley 20a associated with the "S pole" approaches a portion of another trolley 20b associated with the "S pole," the operation control unit 106 controls the trolley 20b so that the trolley 20b moves in a manner that repels the trolley 20a (for example, moves backward), as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 77.

[0228] -Variations Alternatively, each carriage 20 may be associated with only one magnetic pole (i.e., "north" or "south"), allowing for the creation of a simulated magnet with only one magnetic pole (which does not exist in the real world).

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

[0230] Alternatively, the operation control unit 106 can control the movements of the two carts 20 as if an elastic force of rubber were acting between the two carts 20. For example, the operation control unit 106 may control one cart 20a so that it follows the other cart 20b with a slight delay. This makes it possible to realize a movement as if the cart 20a is being pulled by the cart 20b.

[0231] Alternatively, the motion control unit 106 can control the rotation speed of both wheels of the cart 20, thereby making the toy 40 placed on the cart 20 move as if it were stopped at the center of rotation.

[0232] <18-3.Effects> As described above, according to the seventeenth embodiment, it is possible to perform cooperative control on two carriages 20. As a result, it is possible to realize life-like movements, for example, as in the first to third cooperative control examples. As suggested above, it may be considered that the degree of reproduction of a living creature by the two carriages 20 is improved by limiting the distance between the two independent carriages 20 to a distance equal to or less than a distance according to the size of the living creature to be replicated, and by having the two carriages 20 simultaneously perform different movements from each other.

[0233] <18-4. Variations> {18-4-1. Variation 1} The seventeenth embodiment is not limited to the examples described above. For example, depending on the types of movement patterns (e.g., types of living creatures) associated with the two trolleys 20 and the relative positions of the two trolleys 20 at the start, if the two trolleys 20 are operated as they are, the two trolleys 20 may become unable to move or may break down.

[0234] Therefore, the operation control unit 106 may first determine whether or not it is necessary to change the positional relationship between the two trolleys 20 based on the type of movement pattern associated with the two trolleys 20 and the current positional relationship between the two trolleys 20. Then, when it is determined that it is necessary to change the positional relationship between the two trolleys 20, the operation control unit 106 may control the operations of the two trolleys 20 so that the positional relationship between the two trolleys 20 changes based on the determination result. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 78, the operation control unit 106 may control both of the two trolleys 20 so that the positional relationship between the two trolleys 20 becomes the default positional relationship. Alternatively, if it is determined that it is impossible (or difficult) to automatically change the positional relationship between the two trolleys 20 to the default positional relationship, the output control unit 108 may cause the audio output unit 126 (or the corresponding trolley 20) to output an error sound, or may cause the display unit 124 (or the corresponding trolley 20) to display an error message, as shown in Fig. 79.

[0235] {18-4-2. Variation 2} Typically, the types and characteristics of, for example, motors, motor drivers, or gears may differ within each of the trolleys 20. For this reason, even if the information processing device 10 controls each of the multiple trolleys 20 so that the multiple trolleys 20 move in the same direction, some of the multiple trolleys 20 may move in different directions.

[0236] Therefore, the operation control unit 106 can control the movement direction of each trolley 20 at any time using angle information (and position information) that the trolley 20 reads from the mat 30. For example, as shown in Fig. 80, the operation control unit 106 can control (change, etc.) the movement direction of each trolley 20 based on the angle information acquired by the trolley 20 so that the movement direction of the trolley 20 becomes the same as the movement instruction direction for the trolley 20.

[0237] {18-4-3. Variation 3} As described above, it is possible to determine whether the cart 20 has come into contact with another object, for example, based on the measurement results of an acceleration sensor in the cart 20. However, it may be difficult to identify the type of object that the cart 20 has come into contact with. As a result, as shown in FIG. 81, the movement of the cart 20 may be restricted.

[0238] Therefore, for example, when it is determined that the length of time that the motor in the trolley 20 continues to rotate has reached a predetermined time while it is determined that the amount of change in the position information of the trolley 20 is within a predetermined threshold, the operation control unit 106 may determine that an object that restricts the movement of the trolley 20 is present in the movement direction of the trolley 20. Furthermore, in this case, the operation control unit 106 may temporarily suspend movement control (forward control, rotation control, etc.) for the trolley 20.

[0239] Furthermore, for example, in the case of forward control, the operation control unit 106 may cause the corresponding cart 20 to move backward once and then detour to the right and left. This allows the cart 20 to achieve a movement that resembles "detecting an obstacle and avoiding it." Therefore, it is possible to achieve movement that is more similar to that of a living creature.

[0240] <<19. Hardware Configuration>> The above describes each embodiment. Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 common to each embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 82. As shown in Fig. 82, the information processing device 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 of the information processing device 10 in accordance with various programs. The CPU 150 also realizes the functions of the control unit 100. The CPU 150 is configured by a processor such as a microprocessor.

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

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

[0244] The bus 156 is composed of a CPU bus etc. This bus 156 connects the CPU 150, the ROM 152, and the RAM 154 to one another.

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

[0246] The input device 160 includes an input means (such as a touch panel, a button, a switch, a dial, a lever, or a microphone) for the user to input information, 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 may include a display device such as an LCD device, an OLED device, a projector, or a lamp. The output device 162 may also include an audio output device such as a speaker. The output device 162 may implement the functions of the display unit 124 and the audio output unit 126.

[0248] The storage device 164 is a device for storing data that functions as the memory 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 deletion device that deletes data recorded on the storage medium.

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

[0250] <<20. Variations>> Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0251] <20-1. Variation 1> For example, as shown in FIG. 83, a short-range wireless communication unit 230 is provided near the top surface of the carriage 20. A device (e.g., an NFC reader / writer) may be installed inside the mat 30, and a live tag 262 (e.g., a software tag) may be installed near the bottom surface of the mat 30. Furthermore, a reader 82 (e.g., an NFC reader) may be installed inside the mat 30. In this case, as shown in FIG. 83 , when a user brings a tag 80 (e.g., an NFC tag) close to the top surface of the mat 30, the mat 30 can transmit information read from the tag 80 to the reader 82. For example, first, the near field communication unit 230 reads 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 information newly stored in the live tag 262 is transmitted to the reader 82 located directly below the mat 30. This allows the user to send information from the tag 80 to the area of the mat 30 where the mat 30 is located.

[0252] For example, when a toy 40 (such as a doll) equipped with NFC is placed on the cart 20, the cart 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. This allows the information processing device 10 or the mat 30 to recognize the type of the toy 40 placed on the cart 20.

[0253] <20-2. Variation 2> {20-2-1. Changing parameters} As another modification, the dolly 20 may be used as some kind of user interface. For example, as indicated by arrow A in FIG. 84, the value of a parameter associated with the dolly 20 itself (or the translation of the dolly 20) may be dynamically changed depending on the distance and direction of movement when the user translates the dolly 20. Alternatively, as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 84, the value of a parameter associated with the dolly 20 itself (or the rotation of the dolly 20) may be dynamically changed depending on the amount of rotation (such as the angle of rotation or the direction of rotation) when the user rotates the dolly 20. Alternatively, as indicated by arrow C in FIG. 84, when the user tips or right-ups the dolly 20, the value of a parameter associated with the dolly 20 itself (or the overturned state of the dolly 20) may be dynamically changed. Note that this movement information (translation, rotation, overturning, etc.) can be identified depending on the position information and acceleration sensed by the dolly 20.

[0254] Furthermore, if 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, this movement information may be used as a user interface for a music application. For example, the pitch, volume, tempo, timbre, etc. of a sound may be dynamically changed by the user moving the dolly 20. Alternatively, the level values of various parameters in a mixer may be dynamically changed by the user moving the dolly 20, as shown in Fig. 85.

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

[0257] <20-3. Variation 3> Although Fig. 1 shows an example in which the mat 30 has a plate-like shape, the present invention is not limited to such an example. As a modified example, as shown in Fig. 86, the mat 30 may have a foldable shape so that the bottom can be raised. Fig. 86 shows an example in which the mat 30 is formed so that the height of the bottom can be raised equally whether the mat 30 is folded vertically or horizontally. Note that the folding pattern is not limited to such an example.

[0258] Figure 87 is a diagram showing the mat 30 shown in Figure 86 folded so that the bottom is raised, and the cart 20 placed on the top surface of the mat 30. As shown in Figure 87, this modification makes it possible to realize a shape like a sumo ring with a single mat 30. This makes it possible to further utilize the advantages of games played in real space.

[0259] As mentioned above, the information processing device 10 can determine whether the trolley 20 has fallen off the mat 30 based on the measurement values from the acceleration sensor inside the trolley 20 and the history of position information read by the trolley 20 from the mat 30.

[0260] <20-4. Variation 4> In another variation, as shown in FIG. 88, the mat 30 may be made up of three layers (media 330 The medium 330 may be made up of a sheet of paper (such as chip-hole paper) and two mats 332. Specifically, mats 332 may be fixed to both sides of the medium 330. Each mat 332 has position information recorded, 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 one mat 30. In other words, different games can be realized when the front surface 332a is facing up and when the back surface 332b is facing up.

[0261] <20-5. Variation 5> As another modification, instead of the mat 30 shown in FIG. 1, a mat 90 having 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 below a mat portion 900a. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 91, a polygonal pyramidal object 902b (e.g., a square pyramid or a hexagonal pyramid) may be fixed below a mat portion 900b. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 92, a mat portion 900c may have a protrusion 902c on which, for example, a dolly 20 can move. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 93, a mat portion 900d may have a hole 902d larger than the size of, for example, the dolly 20. Alternatively, the mat 90 may have a turntable-like shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 94, a mat portion 900e may be installed on a base 902e, and the mat portion 900e may be rotatable automatically or manually. When these mats 90 are used, additional physical effects can be introduced into the game.

[0262] <20-6. Variation 6> The functions of the information processing device 10 according to each embodiment may be realized by a single computer, or may be realized by multiple computers operating in cooperation with each other. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 may be composed of multiple devices.

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

[0264] <20-8. Variation 8> As another modification, a drone (aircraft) may be used instead of the dolly 20. A drone is an example of a moving object according to the present disclosure. Note that the information processing device 10 may be incorporated into a drone, or may be incorporated into a device such as a smartphone.

[0265] The content of this modified example will be described in more detail below. Conventionally, a method has been known in which markers indicating drone takeoff and landing or specific locations are installed on the drone, and an imaging device mounted on the drone that captures images of the downward view captures the installed markers to assist drone operation control. Furthermore, in conventional drones, sensor data obtained from an image sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, an inertial sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a barometer, and the like is used individually or in combination to detect the drone's position in outdoor spaces. However, the position detection accuracy of sensor data for outdoor spaces is not sufficient for drone position control in relatively small spaces such as indoor spaces. For this reason, improvements in drone position detection accuracy are desired for drone flight control in indoor spaces.

[0266] In the drone flight control described above, the drone's flight path may be controlled using the position information indicated by the array pattern described in the present disclosure. Note that the "arrangement pattern" includes markers that have been used conventionally. Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly stated, the drone flight control described in the present disclosure may apply the operation control of the cart 20 described above.

[0267] In the present disclosure, drone flight control is performed based on multiple pieces of position information included in an array pattern. This array pattern may be printed on a single mat, as in the embodiment relating to the dolly 20, or may be printed on multiple mats. Alternatively, information media other than mats may be appropriately employed. Furthermore, drone flight control may be performed so that the drone autonomously moves between mats that are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship and spaced apart from one another. Each mat may indicate at least one piece of position information for the next mat to which the drone should move. Alternatively, flight control between mats may be performed by downloading a data table containing data for each mat from a network to the drone, and comparing the code of each mat with the data table.

[0268] The embodiment in which the mats are spaced apart is suitable for flight control not only in indoor spaces but also in outdoor spaces. Specifically, an array pattern indicating position information corresponding to each of multiple waypoints on a flight path connecting a drone's takeoff point and landing point in an outdoor space can be installed. Then, autonomous flight control or manual flight control of the drone can be performed based on the installed waypoints. Note that flight control via waypoints with array patterns installed can be applied in combination (integrated) with conventional flight control using GPS.

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

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

[0271] When controlling the drone's altitude based on the takeoff and landing array pattern, as the drone approaches or moves away from the array pattern, the array pattern may become too large in the image to fit within the field of view, or may become too small in the image to be recognized. 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 positioned at substantially the same position in real space. More specifically, the first array pattern and the second array pattern may be positioned so that the center of the first array pattern and the center of the second array pattern approximately coincide with each other. When such a combination of array patterns is adopted, the center of the first array pattern is positioned at the center of the second array pattern. Therefore, to recognize such a combination of array patterns, the center of each array pattern may be recognized (ignored) by the drone as a region that does not contain control information, including position information. The size of the first array pattern may be equal to or smaller than the size of the region of the second array pattern that does not contain control information.

[0272] By configuring the first and second array patterns as described above, even if 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. This allows for highly accurate detection of the drone's altitude. As a result, impacts on the drone during takeoff and landing, especially during landing, are mitigated, potentially extending the drone's product lifespan.

[0273] Regarding the altitude control of the drone, instead of the control that references the size of each array pattern, altitude control may be performed according to the number of unit array patterns included within the angle of view. More specifically, the greater the number of unit array patterns included within the angle of view, the higher the altitude will be recognized. Note that the unit array pattern referred to here may be understood as the smallest unit of a pattern that indicates position information, and multiple unit array patterns may be considered to be arranged on, for example, a single mat (information medium).

[0274] <20-9. Variation 9> The steps in the processing flow of each of the above-described embodiments do not necessarily have to be processed in the order described. For example, the steps may be processed in a different order as appropriate. Furthermore, instead of being processed in chronological order, some of the steps may be processed in parallel or individually. Furthermore, some of the steps described may be omitted, or other steps may be added.

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

[0276] Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely descriptive or exemplary and are not limiting. In other words, the technology according to the present disclosure may achieve other effects that will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of this specification, in addition to or in place of the above-described effects.

[0277] The following configurations also fall within 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 an operation of the first moving object, including movement in real space, based on the position information. (2) a position correction unit that corrects the position information acquired from the sensor based on an attachment position of the sensor with respect to the first moving body; The information processing device according to (1), wherein the operation control unit controls the operation of the first moving object based on the corrected position information. (3) the position correction unit corrects the position information acquired from the sensor to position information corresponding to an approximate center of the first moving body, which is identified from the attachment position; The information processing device according to (2), wherein the operation control unit controls the operation of the first moving object based on the corrected position information. (4) The information processing device according to (3), wherein the sensor is configured to be attached at a distance from approximately the center of the first moving body in the horizontal direction. (5) The information processing device according to (4), wherein the sensor is configured to be attached in front of the first moving body in the horizontal direction. (6) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein, 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. (7) The information processing device according to (6), wherein, when there is an abnormality in the acquisition of the position information, the operation control unit controls the first moving object to move back. (8) The information processing device according to (6), wherein, if there is an abnormality in the acquisition of the location information, the operation control unit controls the first moving body to automatically move until the location information is acquired. (9) The information processing device according to (6), wherein 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. (10) the predetermined arrangement pattern includes a first arrangement pattern that defines at least position information related to real space using a plurality of different patterns, and a second arrangement pattern that defines control information related to the operation of a moving object; The information processing device described in any one of (1) to (9), wherein the operation control unit controls the operation of the first moving body based on position information obtained based on the sensor reading the first arrangement pattern and control information obtained based on the sensor reading the second arrangement pattern. (11) The information processing device according to (10), wherein the control information is information for controlling at least one of a moving speed, a motion pattern, and a rotational motion of the first moving body. (12) further comprising an external force detection unit that detects an external force applied to the first moving body; The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the operation control unit further controls the operation of the first moving body based on a detection result of the external force. (13) Further comprising a communication unit that communicates with a second mobile object; The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the operation control unit controls a positional relationship between the first moving body and the second moving body based on communication by the communication unit. (14) the predetermined arrangement pattern includes a third arrangement pattern that defines cooperative control between the first moving body and the second moving body; The information processing device described in (13), wherein the operation control unit controls the positional relationship between the first moving body and the second moving body based on information obtained by reading the third array pattern by the sensor. (15) the predetermined arrangement pattern includes a fourth arrangement pattern relating to a movement of an object different from the first moving object; The information processing device described in any one of (1) to (14), wherein 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 information obtained by reading the fourth arrangement pattern by the sensor. (16) acquiring position information from a sensor configured to read a predetermined array pattern; and a processor controlling the operation of a first moving object, including movement in real space, based on the position information. (17) a first array pattern that defines position information related to real space using a plurality of different patterns and has a first area; and a second array pattern that defines control information related to the operation of a moving body and has a second area that is smaller than the first area. (18) The information medium according to (17), wherein the second arrangement pattern is configured to define a combination of the plurality of different patterns of the first arrangement pattern. (19) The information medium according to (17) or (18), wherein the control information includes information for controlling at least one of the moving speed, the motion pattern, and the rotational motion of the moving body. (20) the information medium includes a first information medium and a second information medium that is independent of the first information medium and has an area smaller than that of the first information medium; the first arrangement pattern is provided on the first information medium, The information medium according to any one of (17) to (19), wherein the second arrangement pattern is provided on the second information medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0278] 10 Information processing device 20 Cart 22 Cassette 24 Ball cart 30, 90 Mat 40 Toy 100, 200 Control unit 102 Information acquisition unit 104 Mat information identification unit 106 Operation 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 Near-field wireless communication unit 232 Drive unit 234 Servo motor

Claims

1. a plurality of tiles each having an array pattern printed thereon that indicates control information for controlling the operation of the moving body; the moving body includes a bottom surface, two rotating members exposed from the bottom surface and arranged to face each other, a motor that drives the two rotating members, a convex portion that is arranged on the bottom surface and comes into contact with the ground together with the two rotating members during movement, and a camera that is arranged on the bottom surface; the camera is capable of reading a printed array pattern indicating the control information and a printed array pattern indicating the position of the moving object; When an array pattern indicating the position of the moving object is read, position information and angle information are obtained based on the read array pattern; The movement caused by the rotation of the motor is controlled based on the position information and control information indicated by the read array pattern. Information processing system.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, the control information includes information for controlling at least one of a motion pattern and a rotational motion; Information processing system.

3. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, the control information includes at least one command of rotating the moving body and starting a movement of the moving body; Information processing system.

4. 4. The information processing system according to claim 1, an array pattern indicating the control information is printed on a tile; Information processing system.

5. 5. The information processing system according to claim 1, The moving object emits light in a color corresponding to the information read by the camera. Information processing system.

6. 6. The information processing system according to claim 1, the control information includes a command to rotate the moving body by a predetermined angle without moving forward or backward; Information processing system.

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