Information processing system, program, and method

Abstract

There is room for improvement in a control method when vibration data is transmitted by wireless communication.SOLUTION: The information processing system includes an information processing apparatus and a vibration device. The information processing apparatus executes an application program and a system program. The application program determines occurrence of a vibration event, and generates a vibration instruction for vibrating the vibration device based on the determination. The system program transmits vibration instruction data based on the vibration instruction generated by the application program to the vibration device in a predetermined cycle. The system program pauses the transmission when there is no vibration instruction generated by the application program, and resumes the transmission when there is a vibration instruction generated by the application program after the pause. The control program of the vibration device receives the vibration instruction data and controls the vibration unit based on the control data based on the received vibration instruction data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system including an information processing device and a vibration device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, vibration data may be transmitted from an information processing device to a vibration device via wireless communication to control vibration in the vibration device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6382880 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There was room for improvement in the control method for transmitting vibration data via wireless communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (Configuration 1) An information processing system (for example, a game system) according to configuration 1 is an information processing system including an information processing device (for example, a game device) and a vibration device (for example, a game controller including a vibration module).

[0006] The information processing device includes the following means. A means for determining the occurrence of a vibration event by execution of an application program, and a means for generating a vibration instruction for vibrating the vibration device based on the determination.

[0007] A means for transmitting vibration instruction data based on the vibration instruction generated by the application program to the vibration device at a predetermined cycle by executing a system program, a means for pausing the transmission when there is no vibration instruction generated by the application program, and a means for resuming the transmission after the pause when there is a vibration instruction generated by the application program.

[0008] The vibration device comprises the following means: A means for receiving vibration instruction data by executing a control program, and controlling the vibration unit based on control data based on the received vibration instruction data.

[0009] The meaning of "a state in which there is no vibration instruction generated by the application program" may mean a time when the application program does not generate a vibration instruction, or, if the vibration instructions generated by the application program are stored in a buffer (vibration instruction buffer), it may mean a time when there is no vibration instruction data generated by the application program in the buffer.

[0010] The meaning of "when there is no vibration instruction" may be "immediately when there is no vibration instruction" or "when there is no vibration instruction for a certain period or a certain cycle."

[0011] The meaning of "no vibration instruction" may be "no vibration instruction data" or "when the vibration instruction data indicates no vibration." "Vibration instruction data indicating no vibration" is typically data indicating zero amplitude. This amplitude does not have to be completely zero. It may also be identification data indicating no vibration.

[0012] The vibration instruction generated by the application program may be, for example, vibration instruction data indicating an amplitude value and a frequency value, or may be parameters for generating the vibration instruction data. In the latter case, the system program or the control program of the vibration device may generate the vibration instruction data from the parameters.

[0013] According to the first configuration, packet loss and the like can be prevented in other communications (such as communications of operation data) between the information processing device and the vibration device.

[0014] In addition to Configuration 1, at least one of the following configurations can be provided. Furthermore, any combination of multiple (any number of 2 or more) of the following configurations can be added to Configuration 1.

[0015] The vibration instructions are stored in a vibration instruction buffer, and means for pausing the transmission when the vibration instruction generated by the application program is not present in the vibration instruction buffer (Configuration 2).

[0016] A means for pausing the transmission when the vibration instruction generated by the application program is data indicating no vibration, and pausing the transmission is performed after transmitting vibration instruction data based on the vibration instruction indicating no vibration (Configuration 3).

[0017] The information processing device further includes a means for retaining the last vibration instruction generated by the application program by executing the system program, and a means for pausing transmission when the retained vibration instruction is data indicating no vibration, and for not pausing transmission when the retained vibration instruction is data indicating vibration (Configuration 4).

[0018] The vibration device further includes a means for boosting the amplitude value indicated by the received vibration instruction data when the state changes from a state in which the received vibration instruction data is not present to a state in which the received vibration instruction data is present (Configuration 5).

[0019] The vibration device includes a vibration unit and an amplifier that controls the vibration unit, and the vibration device further includes a means for transitioning the amplifier to a power saving mode when a state in which the vibration instruction data is not received continues for a certain period of time or a certain number of cycles (Configuration 6).

[0020] The vibration device further includes means for controlling the vibration unit based on vibration instruction data having an amplitude value of zero when the vibration instruction data is not received (Configuration 7).

[0021] According to configuration 2, the application program can issue multiple vibration instructions at once. Transmission can be paused when there are no more vibration instructions in the buffer. According to configuration 3, transmission can be paused after the application program has performed no-vibration control (vibration stop control). According to configuration 4, if the last vibration instruction given by the application program was to vibrate, vibration can be continued without pausing transmission, and if the last instruction was to vibrate, transmission can be paused. According to configuration 5, the rise of vibration when resuming can be improved. According to configuration 6, power consumption of the vibration device can be saved when transmission is paused. According to configuration 7, vibration can be controlled even when transmission is paused. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device configuration of a game system as an example of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portion of the hardware configuration of a game device as an example of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portion of the hardware configuration of a game controller as an example of a vibration device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a game program. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a system program. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a control program. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] 1 shows an example of the device configuration of a game system 1 as an example of an information processing system. The game system 1 is an information processing system including a game device 10 and a game controller 20.

[0024] 2 shows an example of a portion of the hardware configuration of a game device 10 as an example of an information processing device. The game device 10 includes an SoC 100 (CPU 100A and GPU 100B). A game program P1 as an example of an application program and a system program P2 as an example of a system program are stored in non-volatile memory 101. Various data is stored in volatile memory 102 during program execution.

[0025] When executed by the CPU 100A, the game program P1 performs game processing such as moving the player character based on operation data from the operation unit 205 of the game controller 20, and also determines the occurrence of vibration events such as collisions of game objects and effects, and generates vibration instructions to vibrate the vibration device based on that determination.

[0026] The system program P2, when executed by the CPU 100A, transmits vibration instruction data based on the vibration instruction generated by the game program P2 to the vibration device at a predetermined cycle, and also pauses and resumes transmission under specific conditions.

[0027] The wireless communication controller 103 performs transmission and reception processes such as transmitting vibration instruction data to the game controller 20 and receiving operation data from the game controller 20. The wireless communication controller 103 is a type of processor, and may be a general-purpose processor, an ASIC, a hardware logic ASIC, or the like. The same applies to the wireless controller 206 described below. Any wireless method may be used, such as IEEE802.11, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or improvements thereof. Communication may be via a long-distance communication path, or wired communication.

[0028] 3 shows an example of a portion of the hardware configuration of a game controller 20 as an example of a vibration device. The game controller 20 includes a microprocessor 200, a non-volatile memory 201, a volatile memory 202, a vibration module 203, an amplifier 204, an operation unit 205, and a wireless controller 206.

[0029] A control program P3, which is an example of a control program, is stored in the non-volatile memory 201. The control program P3 is executed by the microprocessor 200 to receive vibration instruction data and control the vibration module 203 based on the control data obtained therefrom. Various data is stored in the volatile memory 202 while the control program P3 is being executed. The vibration module 203 is, for example, a voice coil motor, but may also be an eccentric motor, an LRA, or the like.

[0030] The amplifier 204 is an amplifier that controls the vibration module 203. The operation unit 205 includes an operation switch, an analog stick, a motion sensor, etc. The wireless controller 206 performs transmission and reception processing such as receiving vibration instruction data from the game device 10 and transmitting operation data of the operation unit 205 to the game device 10.

[0031] 4 shows an example of a flowchart of the game program P1. When the CPU 100A executes the game program P1, the following processes are performed.

[0032] First, game processing is executed in Step 101. In Step 101, the movement and action control of the player character and the movement and action control of the non-player characters are performed in response to the operation of the operation unit 205. After Step 101, the process proceeds to Step 102.

[0033] It is determined whether or not a vibration event has occurred in Step 102. In Step 102, a collision of game objects, an impact such as an explosion, timing of effects, etc. are determined, and the occurrence of a vibration event is determined.

[0034] If it is determined in Step 102 that a vibration event has occurred, the process proceeds to Step 103. In Step 103, a process is executed in which vibration instruction data specifying an amplitude value and a frequency value is stored in a vibration instruction buffer (added to the end of the vibration instruction buffer). The vibration instruction buffer is provided on the volatile memory 102.

[0035] The vibration instruction data in step 103 is an example of a vibration instruction. In step 103, it is possible to specify a sound frequency. In step 103, vibration instruction data for each predetermined time (for example, 5 ms) is specified. In step 103, multiple pieces of vibration instruction data may be specified at once and stored in the vibration instruction buffer.

[0036] In this embodiment, when the game program P1 ends vibration or when it wants to stop vibration, it passes vibration instruction data with an amplitude value of zero to the system program. After Step 103, the process returns to Step 101. If it is determined in Step 102 that a vibration event has not occurred, the process returns to Step 101.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows an example of a flowchart of the system program P2. Fig. 5 is a flowchart, and the flow of the processing will be explained with reference to data (vibration instruction buffer, transmission flag, transmission buffer, etc.) generated in the volatile memory 102 in order to perform the processing of Fig. 5. When the CPU 100A executes the system program P2, the following processes are executed.

[0038] First, in Step 201, as an initial process (before the start of the game), a process is executed to store vibration instruction data with an amplitude of zero in an empty vibration instruction buffer. Here, the vibration instruction buffer is a buffer in which vibration instructions generated by an application program are accumulated.

[0039] After Step 201, the process proceeds to Step 202. In Step 202, a process of acquiring the vibration instruction data at the top of the vibration instruction buffer is executed. After Step 202, the process proceeds to Step 203.

[0040] In Step 203, it is determined whether the vibration instruction data acquired in Step 202 is the last data (the only data) in the vibration instruction buffer. If it is determined in Step 203 that the data is not the last data, the process proceeds to Step 204.

[0041] In Step 204, a process is executed to delete the vibration instruction data acquired in Step 202 from the vibration instruction buffer. After Step 204, the process proceeds to Step 205.

[0042] If it is determined in Step 203 that the vibration instruction data acquired in Step 202 is the last data, the process proceeds to Step 205. That is, if it is determined that the vibration instruction data acquired in Step 202 is the last data, the vibration instruction data is not deleted from the vibration instruction buffer but is retained. In Step 205, it is determined whether the amplitude value indicated by the vibration instruction data acquired in Step 202 is zero.

[0043] The transmitted vibration instruction data may be deleted from the vibration instruction buffer regardless of whether the vibration instruction data acquired in step 202 is the last data (the only data) in the vibration instruction buffer. In this case, if all the vibration instruction data is transmitted when there are no more vibration instructions from the game program P1, there will be no data in the vibration instruction buffer.

[0044] If it is determined in Step 205 that the amplitude value is not zero, the process proceeds to Step 208. That is, if the game program P1 has stored vibration instruction data whose amplitude value is not zero in the vibration instruction buffer, the process proceeds to Step 208. In Step 208, a process of setting the transmission flag on is executed. If the transmission flag is already on, no process is required. The transmission flag is data for controlling whether or not to perform a process of transmitting vibration instruction data to the game controller 20, and is generated in the volatile memory 102. After Step 208, the process proceeds to Step 209.

[0045] If it is determined in step 205 that the amplitude value indicated by the vibration instruction data acquired in step 202 is zero, the process proceeds to step 206. In step 206, it is determined whether vibration instruction data indicating an amplitude value of zero has been acquired a certain number of times in succession. It may be determined that the data has been acquired two times in succession, or that the data has been acquired a predetermined number of times or more in succession. Alternatively, it may be determined that the data has been acquired continuously for a predetermined period of time, rather than the number of times.

[0046] If it is determined in step 206 that vibration instruction data indicating an amplitude value of zero has been acquired a certain number of times in succession, the process proceeds to step 207. In step 207, a process of setting the transmission flag to off is executed. After step 207, the process proceeds to step 209. The determination process of step 206 may not be performed, and the transmission flag may be turned off when vibration instruction data indicating an amplitude value of zero has been acquired once. When vibration instruction data indicating an amplitude value of zero has been acquired once, the transmission flag may be set to off after that data has been transmitted. Furthermore, regardless of whether the vibration instruction data acquired in step 202 is the last data (the only data) in the vibration instruction buffer, when the transmitted vibration instruction data is deleted from the vibration instruction buffer, the transmission flag may be set to off when there is no data in the vibration instruction buffer, or when this state continues.

[0047] If it is determined in Step 206 that vibration instruction data showing an amplitude value of zero has not been acquired a certain number of times in succession, the process proceeds to Step 209. In Step 209, it is determined whether or not the transmission flag is on.

[0048] If it is determined in step 209 that the transmission flag is on, the process proceeds to step 210. In step 210, a process is executed to store the vibration instruction data acquired in step 202 in a transmission buffer. In step S210, a plurality of vibration instruction data may be acquired collectively and stored in the transmission buffer. The vibration instruction data stored in the transmission buffer is sequentially transmitted to the game controller 20 by the wireless communication controller 103. This transmission is performed at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 5 ms).

[0049] The transmission buffer is an area that temporarily stores data for transmission processing by the wireless communication controller 103, and is generated on the volatile memory 102 or in the internal memory of the wireless communication controller 103. If there is no transmission data in the transmission buffer, the transmission processing by the wireless communication controller 103 is not performed. In other words, when no transmission data is stored in the transmission buffer, the transmission processing by the wireless communication controller 103 is paused.

[0050] After step 210, the process returns to step 202. If it is determined in step 209 that the transmission flag is not on, the process returns to step 202.

[0051] Fig. 6 shows an example of a flowchart of the control program P3. The flow of the process will be explained with reference to data (buffer, previous vibration instruction data, etc.) generated in the volatile memory 202 to perform the process of Fig. 6. When the microprocessor 200 executes the control program P3, the following processes are performed.

[0052] First, in Step 301, a process is executed to determine whether or not vibration instruction data has been received from the game device 10. If it is determined in Step 301 that vibration instruction data has been received, the process proceeds to Step 302.

[0053] In Step 302, a process is executed to store the received vibration instruction data in a buffer. This buffer is generated in the volatile memory 202 and stores the received vibration instruction data. After Step 302, the process proceeds to Step 303.

[0054] If it is determined in Step 301 that vibration instruction data has not been received, the process proceeds to Step 303. In Step 303, it is determined whether or not vibration instruction data exists in the buffer.

[0055] If it is determined in Step 303 that there is no vibration instruction data in the buffer, the process proceeds to Step 304. In Step 304, a process is executed to generate vibration instruction data having an amplitude value of zero and store it in the buffer. After Step 304, the process proceeds to Step 305.

[0056] If it is determined in Step 303 that vibration instruction data exists in the buffer, the process proceeds to Step 305. In Step 305, a process of acquiring the vibration instruction data at the top of the buffer is executed. After Step 305, the process proceeds to Step 306.

[0057] In step 306, it is determined whether the amplitude value of the previously acquired vibration instruction data is 0. The previous vibration instruction data is data that holds the contents of the previously processed vibration instruction, and is generated in the volatile memory 202.

[0058] If it is determined in step 306 that the previous amplitude value is zero, the process proceeds to step 307. In step 307, a process is executed to increase the amplitude value of the vibration instruction data acquired in step 305 (for example, by multiplying it by a predetermined factor or adding a predetermined value). That is, a boosting process is executed. The boosting process may be performed for a certain period of time, for a certain cycle, or while certain conditions are satisfied, or may be performed only for a moment when restarting. Not only the amplitude value but also the frequency value may be changed.

[0059] After Step 307, the process proceeds to Step 308. If it is determined in Step 306 that the previous amplitude value is not zero, the process proceeds to Step 308.

[0060] In Step 308, a process of generating control data is executed based on the vibration instruction data acquired in Step 305 or the vibration instruction data with an increased amplitude value in Step 307. Based on this control data, the amplifier 204 controls the vibration module 203. After Step 308, the process proceeds to Step 309.

[0061] In Step 309, it is determined whether or not control using vibration instruction data with an amplitude value of zero has continued for a predetermined time (for example, several hundred milliseconds). If it is determined in Step 309 that control has not continued, the process returns to Step 301.

[0062] If it is determined in Step 309 that the operation has continued, the process proceeds to Step 310. In Step 310, a process is executed to put the amplifier into a power saving mode. Some of the functions of the amplifier may be turned off. The power saving mode may also be set by stopping some of the clocks of the amplifier. After the power saving mode is set in Step 310, the process returns to Step 301. After the power saving mode is entered, if vibration instruction data whose amplitude value is not zero is acquired in Step 305, the power saving mode is released.

[0063] In the above, explanations have been given using terms such as information processing system, information processing device, vibration device, application program, system program, control program, vibration unit, amplifier, vibration instruction, vibration instruction data, vibration instruction buffer, pause, resume, boost, power saving mode, and no vibration, but these terms are merely used to explain one embodiment.

[0064] The game device may be a stationary game device, a portable game device, or a hybrid game device that is a combination of stationary and portable devices.Instead of a game device, it may be an information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or a server device in a network system.

[0065] The processor may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. The processor may be a microprocessor, an ASIC, etc. The processor may be partially or entirely based on hardware logic.

[0066] Rather than one information processing device performing all of the processes, each of the above processes may be distributed to multiple information processing devices within an information processing system in which multiple devices are connected via local or long-distance communication paths.

[0067] Each program includes program code in a format that can be executed by a processor directly or indirectly (for example, by an interpreter or an emulator), and each program code includes instructions for the processes described above.

[0068] The above-mentioned programs may be stored in advance in a non-volatile memory or downloaded from a server. The above-mentioned programs may be a collection of multiple program modules. Each program or program module may be stored in a different memory.

[0069] The above-described programs, program modules, codes, and / or instructions may be shared and processed by multiple processors. The execution order of the above-described processes may be changed as appropriate, and the processes may be executed in parallel. The above-described instructions may be included in something other than the above-described programs.

[0070] The system programs may include an OS (operating system), firmware, application programs provided by the system, applet programs, etc. The system programs may also include an emulator program.

[0071] Although the above embodiment has been described using a game program as an example, the above-described technology can be applied to any application program and is not limited to game programs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Game system, 10 Game device, 20 Game controller, 101, 201 Non-volatile memory, 102, 202 Volatile memory, 103 Wireless communication controller, 200 Microprocessor, 203 Vibration module, 204 Amplifier, 205 Operation unit, 206 Wireless controller, P1 Game program, P2 System program, P3 Control program.

Claims

1. An information processing system including an information processing device and a vibration device, The information processing device includes: By running the application program, a means for determining the occurrence of a vibration event; means for generating a vibration instruction for vibrating the vibration device based on the determination; By executing the system program, means for transmitting vibration instruction data based on the vibration instruction generated by the application program to the vibration device at a predetermined cycle; means for pausing the transmission when there is no vibration instruction generated by the application program; means for resuming the transmission when the vibration instruction generated by the application program is in a certain state after the pause; The vibration device is An information processing system comprising: means for receiving vibration instruction data and controlling a vibration unit based on control data based on the received vibration instruction data.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The vibration instructions are stored in a vibration instruction buffer; The information processing system pauses the transmission when the vibration instruction buffer does not contain the vibration instruction generated by the application program.

3. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, Pausing the transmission when the vibration instruction generated by the application program is data indicating no vibration; The information processing system, wherein the pause in transmission is performed after transmitting vibration instruction data based on the vibration instruction indicating no vibration.

4. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The information processing device further comprises: means for retaining the last vibration instruction generated by the application program upon execution of the system program; An information processing system in which the transmission is paused when the stored vibration instruction is data indicating no vibration, and is not paused when the stored vibration instruction is data indicating vibration.

5. 5. The information processing system according to claim 1, The vibration device further includes means for boosting the amplitude value indicated by the received vibration instruction data when the state changes from one in which the received vibration instruction data is not present to one in which the received vibration instruction data is present.

6. 5. The information processing system according to claim 1, the vibration device includes a vibration unit and an amplifier that controls the vibration unit; The vibration device further includes means for transitioning the amplifier to a power saving mode when a state in which the vibration instruction data is not received continues for a certain period of time or a certain number of cycles.

7. 5. The information processing system according to claim 1, The vibration device further includes means for controlling the vibration unit based on vibration instruction data having an amplitude value of zero when the vibration instruction data is not received.

8. a computer that provides vibration instruction data based on a vibration instruction generated by an application program to a vibration device at a predetermined cycle; means for pausing the provision when there is no vibration instruction generated by the application program; a program that functions as a means for resuming the provision when the vibration instruction generated by the application program becomes a certain state after the pause;

9. 9. The program according to claim 8, The vibration instructions are stored in a vibration instruction buffer; The program pauses the provision when the vibration instruction generated by the application program does not exist in the vibration instruction buffer.

10. 9. The program according to claim 8, When the vibration instruction generated by the application program is data indicating no vibration, the provision is paused; The program wherein the pause in provision is performed after providing vibration instruction data based on the vibration instruction indicating no vibration.

11. 11. A program according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further causing the computer to function as a means for retaining the last vibration instruction generated by the application program, wherein the pause in provision is performed when the retained vibration instruction is data indicating no vibration, and is not performed when the retained vibration instruction is data indicating vibration.

12. 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: By running the application program, generating a vibration indication; By executing the system program, transmitting vibration instruction data based on the vibration instruction to a vibration device at a predetermined cycle; Pausing the transmission when there is no vibration instruction; After the pause, when the vibration instruction is received, the transmission is resumed; The method further comprises receiving the vibration instruction data by a vibration device, and controlling a vibration unit based on the received vibration instruction data.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the vibration instructions are accumulated in a vibration instruction buffer, and the pause in transmission occurs when the vibration instruction buffer does not contain any vibration instructions generated by the application program.

14. A method as described in claim 12, wherein the transmission is paused when the vibration instruction generated by the application program is data indicating no vibration, and the transmission is paused after transmitting vibration instruction data based on the vibration instruction indicating no vibration.

15. 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein execution of a system program retains the last vibration instruction generated by the application program, and the transmission pause is performed when the retained vibration instruction is data indicating no vibration, and is not performed when the retained vibration instruction is data indicating vibration.

16. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the vibration device boosts the amplitude indicated by the received vibration indication data when the received vibration indication data changes from a state in which the received vibration indication data is absent to a state in which the received vibration indication data is present.

17. 16. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the vibration device comprises a vibration unit and an amplifier that controls the vibration unit, and includes transitioning the amplifier into a power saving mode when a state in which the vibration instruction data is not received continues for a certain period of time or a certain number of cycles.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein when the vibration instruction data is not received, the vibration unit is controlled based on vibration data having an amplitude of zero.

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