Toys and control programs

Abstract

To provide a highly entertaining toy and control program. A toy 10 includes a touch panel monitor 13 and a processor 11. The processor 11 controls the touch panel monitor 13 to display first information. The first information includes second information received from another toy and a first captured image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toy and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mail transmission / reception toy that displays, on a display unit, image data in which image data composed of a moving image or a still image stored in a display image storage unit is associated with identification information for identifying the image data, receives, by a receiving unit, transmission data D in which at least the identification information for identifying the image data is set, and reads out, from the display image storage unit, the corresponding image data based on the identification information of the image data set in the transmission data and displays the image on the display unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technology of the present disclosure aims to provide a highly interesting toy and a control program.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the toy according to the technology of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0006] (1) A display unit, A processor that performs control to display first information on the display unit, and The first information includes second information received from another toy and a first captured image. Toy. A display unit, a processor that controls the display unit to display first information, an imaging unit, and the first information includes second information received from another toy through communication using the imaging unit and a first captured image obtained by imaging with the imaging unit, the communication using the imaging unit is communication by reading a code displayed by the other toy, a toy.

[0007] (2) The toy according to (1), wherein the second information is information that has been input to and stored in the other toy. Toy.

[0008] (3) The toy according to (1) or (2), wherein the other toy can display, as third information, the second information and a second captured image obtained by imaging with the other toy. Toy.

[0009] (4) The toy according to (3), wherein the other toy can transmit the second information, and cannot transmit the second captured image. Toy.

[0010] (5) The toy according to any one of (1) to (4), comprising an imaging unit, wherein the first captured image is an image obtained by imaging with the imaging unit. Toy.

[0011] (6) The toy according to (5), wherein the processor activates the imaging unit after causing the second information to be displayed on the display unit. Toy.

[0012] (7) The toy according to (6), wherein the processor activates the imaging unit in response to an input operation at a predetermined location on the display screen showing the second information. Toy.

[0013] (8) The toy according to (7), wherein the predetermined position is an area for displaying the first captured image on the display screen. Toy.

[0014] (9) The toy according to any one of (5) to (8), wherein the processor can activate the imaging unit by an input operation even when the second information is not being displayed. Toy.

[0015] (10) The toy according to any one of (5) to (9), wherein the second information is information received from another toy by communication using the imaging unit. Toy.

[0016] (11) The toy according to (10), wherein the communication using the imaging unit is communication by reading a code displayed by another toy. Toy.

[0017] (12) The toy according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein, upon receiving the second information from another toy, the processor performs production control to prompt the user to capture an image for the first captured image. Toy.

[0018] (13) The toy according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the processor can use an image obtained by imaging before receiving the second information from another toy as the first captured image. Toy.

[0019] (14) A control program for a toy comprising a display unit and a processor, causing the processor to execute a process of controlling the display unit to display first information, wherein the first information includes second information received from another toy and a first captured image. Control program. A control program for a toy including a display unit, a processor, and an imaging unit, wherein the processor is caused to execute a process of controlling the display unit to display first information, the first information includes second information received from another toy through communication using the imaging unit and a first captured image obtained by imaging with the imaging unit, the communication using the imaging unit is communication by reading a code displayed by the other toy, a control program.

Figure 1

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a highly interesting toy and a control program.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

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Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, a toy which is an aspect of the technology of the present disclosure and a control program for the toy will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an aspect of the toy 10. The toy 10 can, for example, read information displayed on one toy between its own toy 10B and another toy 10A with the other toy, and display the read information of the one toy on the other toy. Hereinafter, the own toy 10B will simply be referred to as the toy 10B.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the toy 10B and the other toy 10A have the same configuration. The toy 10B includes a touch panel monitor 13B and an imaging module 14B. Further, the other toy 10A includes a touch panel monitor 13A and an imaging module 14A. The touch panel monitors 13A and 13B are monitors capable of displaying information, and are an example of the “display unit” of the present invention. The imaging modules 14A and 14B are modules capable of imaging an object, and are an example of the “imaging unit” of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the toy 10 (10A, 10B). The toy 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a touch panel monitor 13, and an imaging module 14. The processor 11, the memory 12, the touch panel monitor 13, and the imaging module 14 are connected, for example, by a bus 19. Note that the toy 10A and the toy 10B have a common hardware configuration, and “A” and “B” are attached to each part number in FIG. 2.

[0025] Processor 11 is a circuit that performs signal processing and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire toy 10. Note that processor 11 may be implemented by other digital circuits such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0026] Memory 12 includes, for example, a main memory and an auxiliary memory. The main memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a work area for processor 11. The auxiliary memory is a non-volatile memory such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a flash memory. Various programs for operating toy 10 are stored in the auxiliary memory. The programs stored in the auxiliary memory are loaded into the main memory and executed by processor 11. In addition, the auxiliary memory stores, for example, various image information related to the user, text information related to the user, etc. The user includes "oneself" and "friends" who use toy 10.

[0027] Touch panel monitor 13 displays, for example, a face image of a predetermined user or text information related to the user according to the control of processor 11. In addition, touch panel monitor 13 transmits an operation position signal of the tapped monitor surface to processor 11.

[0028] Imaging module 14 is composed of a camera including an imaging lens and images, for example, the face images of oneself and friends. Imaging module 14 receives, by communication, text information related to friends displayed on the touch panel monitor 13 of other toys 10. The received information does not include image information. Imaging module 14 is controlled by processor 11.

[0029] The processor 11 controls each part based on the program stored in the auxiliary memory to perform display control of various information. The program includes downloadable applications for performing display control of various information.

[0030] For example, the processor 11 performs control to display "First Information" on the touch panel monitor 13. The First Information includes, for example, "friend profile information". The First Information includes, for example, "Second Information" received by the toy 10B from another toy 10A and "First captured image" acquired by the toy 10B through imaging by its own imaging module 14B. The Second Information is information that has been previously input to another toy 10A and stored in the memory 12A of the other toy. The Second Information includes, for example, text information related to friends. The First captured image includes an image related to a friend, such as a face image of the friend.

[0031] The Second Information is information received by the toy 10B from another toy 10A through communication using the imaging module 14B. The communication using the imaging module 14B is communication by reading the code displayed on the touch panel monitor 13A by another toy 10B. The code may be, for example, a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code.

[0032] Another toy 10A can display "Third Information" on the touch panel monitor 13A. The Third Information includes, for example, "its own profile information". The Third Information includes the "Second Information" and "Second captured image" acquired by another toy 10A through imaging by its own imaging module 14A. The Second Information is information that has been previously input to another toy 10A and stored in the memory 12A as described above. The Second captured image includes an image related to the user (the friend himself) of the toy 10A captured by another toy 10A using its own imaging module 14A, such as a face image of the friend himself. On the side of another toy 10A, the image captured by its own imaging module 14A can be displayed as "My profile information".

[0033] Another toy 10A can transmit the second information stored in the memory 12A of the other toy 10A, and cannot transmit the second captured image captured by its own imaging module 14A. In the present invention, the toy 10 cannot transmit the captured image and cannot receive the captured image either.

[0034] Also, after the processor 11 displays the second information received from the other toy 10A among the first information on the touch panel monitor 13B of the toy 10B, the processor 11 activates the imaging module 14B of the toy 10B. For example, the processor 11 sets the toy 10B to the live view mode and displays the release button. The processor 11 activates the imaging module 14B in response to an input operation at a predetermined location on the display screen of the touch panel monitor 13B indicating the second information, for example. The predetermined location is an area for displaying the first captured image captured by the imaging module 14B on the display screen. When the first captured image is a face image of a friend, for example, the predetermined location is a face image display area indicated by a "face frame".

[0035] Even when the second information is not displayed, the processor 11 can activate the imaging module 14B by an input operation. The state where the second information is not displayed means, for example, that the home screen is in a state. That is, the processor 11 can activate the imaging module 14B by an icon operation even on a screen different from the display screen for displaying the second information.

[0036] The processor 11 performs production control to prompt the user of the toy 10B to capture an image by the imaging module 14B for obtaining the first captured image, triggered by receiving the second information from the other toy 10A. Note that the processor 11 not only uses the image captured triggered by receiving the second information from the other toy 10A as the first captured image, but can also use the image obtained by imaging before receiving the second information from the other toy 10A as the first captured image. For example, the processor 11 can display, as the first captured image, an image selected from the imaging data stored in the memory 12B of the toy 10B.

[0037] Next, an example of the operation of the toy 10 will be described. In this operation example, an operation will be described in which the toy 10B reads information displayed on another toy 10A, combines the read information of the other toy 10A with an image captured by the toy 10B, and displays it on the touch panel monitor 13B, between the toy 10B and the other toy 10A.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a profile registration screen. The profile registration screen shown in FIG. 3 is a screen displayed on the touch panel monitor 13A of another toy 10A, and is a screen on which the profile information of user A who owns the other toy 10A is displayed. The created profile information is registered in the memory 12A of the toy 10A. Note that this profile registration screen is shifted, for example, when the profile registration button is tapped on the home screen.

[0039] On the profile registration screen, for example, "name", "nickname", "birthday", "constellation", etc. of user A are displayed as registrable items. Also, on the profile registration screen, as areas for inputting registration information (second information), for example, a name input area 21 for inputting the name of user A, a nickname input area 22 for inputting a nickname, a birthday input area 23 for inputting a birthday, etc. are displayed. Further, on the profile registration screen, a constellation display area 24 for displaying the constellation corresponding to the input birthday, a face image display area 25 for displaying a face image, etc. are displayed.

[0040] When each input area is tapped, a list of characters and numbers is displayed, and registration information can be input by arbitrarily selecting. In the case of this example, "Hanako" is input in the name input area 21, "Hachan" is input in the nickname input area 22, "August 23rd" is input in the birthday input area 23, and "Virgo" is input in the constellation display area 24. Also, when the face image display area 25 is tapped, the imaging module 14A is activated so that an image captured by the imaging module 14A can be displayed in the face image display area 25. User A captures his / her own face with the imaging module 14A, and causes the captured face image (second captured image) of User A to be displayed in the face image display area 25 and registered in the memory 12A. When the registration is completed, the user taps the registration end button 33 to end the registration function. As a result, User A can create his / her own (User A's) profile, the my profile, and can register the created my profile (third information) in the memory 12A of User A's toy 10A. Note that the procedure for capturing a face image is the same as the imaging procedure described later with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of a profile communication screen. The profile communication screen shown in FIG. 4 is a screen displayed on the touch panel monitor 13A of another toy 10A. This profile communication screen is a screen that is operated when a user A of another toy 10A transmits the profile of user A created by the user A to another user (a friend of user A), or when user A receives the profile of that other user from that other user. This profile communication screen is shifted to, for example, by tapping the profile communication button on the Home screen.

[0042] On the profile communication screen, a "Send Profile" button 31 that is operated when transmitting a profile, a "Receive Profile" button 32 that is operated when receiving a profile, and a communication end button 34 that is operated to end the communication function (profile communication screen) are displayed. Here, it is assumed that user A of another toy 10A taps the "Send Profile" button 31.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a profile code screen. The profile code screen is shifted to when the "Send Profile" button 31 is tapped on the profile communication screen of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, a two-dimensional code 41 including information of user A's my profile that user A of the toy 10A intends to send is displayed on the profile code screen. The information of user A's my profile that is intended to be sent is, for example, the information of "name", "nickname", "birthday", and "constellation" (second information) among the registration information shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the information to be sent does not include the information of user A's face image.

[0044] Also, on the profile code screen, a message 42 such as "Scan the code at the end of the communication partner!" that prompts scanning the displayed two-dimensional code 41 is displayed. Also, on the profile code screen, a communication end button 34 to be operated to end the communication function (profile code screen) is displayed.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example (the second) of a profile communication screen. The profile communication screen shown in FIG. 6 is a screen displayed on the touch panel monitor 13B of the toy 10B. This profile communication screen is the same as in the case of the other toy 10A described in FIG. 4, and is a screen that is operated when user B of the toy 10B sends user B's profile created by user B to another user (user B's friend), or when user B receives the profile of that user from another user. This profile communication screen is shifted to, for example, when the profile communication button is tapped on the home screen.

[0046] On the profile communication screen, there are displayed a "Send Profile" button 31 for operating when sending a profile, a "Receive Profile" button 32 for operating when receiving a profile, and a communication end button 34 for operating to end the communication function (profile communication screen). Here, a case will be described where user B of the toy 10B taps the "Receive Profile" button 32 to receive the profile of user A described in FIG. 3 from user A who is a friend of user B.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a code reading screen. The code reading screen is shifted to when the "Receive Profile" button 32 is tapped on the profile communication screen of FIG. 6. When the "Receive Profile" button 32 is tapped, the imaging module 14B is activated to enter the imaging mode, and as shown in FIG. 7, the imaging frame 51 of the imaging module 14B is displayed on the code reading screen. Also, on the code reading screen, a message 52 such as "Scan the code that appears in the window!" for prompting the reading of the code is displayed. Further, on the code reading screen, a communication end button 34 for operating to end the communication function (code reading screen) is displayed.

[0048] User B of the toy 10B brings the imaging module 14B of the toy 10B closer to the two-dimensional code 41 (see FIG. 5) displayed on the toy 10A of user A and arranges the two-dimensional code 41 within the imaging frame 51 to scan it in accordance with the message 52 in order to receive the profile information of user A from the toy 10A of user A.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a friend profile screen. The friend profile screen is a screen that is shifted to when the two-dimensional code 41 is scanned on the code reading screen of FIG. 7. The profile shown in FIG. 8 is the profile information of user A included in the read two-dimensional code 41.

[0050] On the friend profile screen, "Name", "Nickname", "Date of Birth", "Zodiac Sign", etc. included in the two-dimensional code 41 are displayed as the profile information of User A. And a name display area 61 as an area for displaying the name, a nickname display area 62 as an area for displaying the nickname, a birthday display area 63 as an area for displaying the birthday, etc. are displayed. Also, a zodiac sign display area 64 as an area for displaying the zodiac sign corresponding to the birthday, a face image display area 65 as an area for displaying the face image, etc. are displayed. Further, on the friend profile screen, a display end button 35 for operating to end the display of the friend profile screen is displayed.

[0051] The information of "Hanako" displayed in the name display area 61, "Hachan" displayed in the nickname display area 62, "August 23rd" displayed in the birthday display area 63, and "Virgo" displayed in the zodiac sign display area 64 is the registration information (second information) input on the profile registration screen in FIG. 3. As described above, the two-dimensional code 41 does not include the information of the face image. Therefore, the face image of User A is not displayed in the face image display area 65 on this friend profile screen. When the face image display area 65 is tapped on the friend profile screen after the information (second information) such as "Hanako" and "Hachan" is displayed, the imaging module 14B of the toy 10B is activated and enters the imaging mode. Note that the activation of the imaging module 14B is once registered in the memory 12B of the toy 10B with the profile information not including the face image shown in FIG. 8, and then it can also be executed by tapping the face image display area 65 within the display screen when the profile information not including the registered face image is displayed again.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a user imaging screen. The user imaging screen is a screen that is shifted when the face image display area 65 is tapped on the friend profile screen of FIG. 8. When the face image display area 65 is tapped, the imaging module 14B is activated to enter the imaging mode, and as shown in FIG. 9, an alignment frame 71 for aligning the position of the face of the user to be imaged is displayed on the user imaging screen. Also, on the user imaging screen, a message 72 such as "Put your face in the frame and press the release button!" that prompts imaging, and a release button 73 are displayed. Further, on the user imaging screen, an imaging end button 36 that is operated to end imaging is displayed.

[0053] User B of the toy 10B aims the imaging module 14B at user A so that the face 74 of user A (Hanako) fits into the alignment frame 71, and images the face 74 of user A.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a friend profile information screen. The friend profile information screen is a screen that is shifted when imaging is completed on the user imaging screen of FIG. 9. On the friend profile information screen shown in FIG. 10, the profile of a friend (user A) obtained by user B of the toy 10B from user A of another toy 10A is displayed. The information of name "Hanako", nickname "Hachan", birthday "August 23rd", and constellation "Virgo" is the information (second information) contained in the scanned two-dimensional code 41 and is the respective information of user A described in FIG. 8. Also, the face image of user A displayed in the face image display area 65 is an image (first captured image) of the face 74 of user A captured by user B using the imaging module 14B of the toy 10B in FIG. 9. The toy 10B stores the profile information (first information) of user A in which the second information and the first captured information are associated as friend profile information in the memory 12B.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment of the toy 10, the control when the user B of the toy 10B reads the profile information of the user A from another toy 10A has been described, but it is not limited thereto. That is, when the user A who uses the toy 10A as his / her own toy reads the profile information of the user B from another toy 10B, the control is similarly performed.

[0056] As described above, in the toy 10 of this embodiment, the user A of another toy 10A displays the information of his / her own profile as the two-dimensional code 41 on the touch panel monitor 13A of the toy 10A, and the user B of the toy 10B reads the two-dimensional code 41 of the other toy 10A with the imaging module 14B of the toy 10B, so that the profile information of the user A included in the two-dimensional code 41 can be displayed as friend profile information on the touch panel monitor 13B of the toy 10B. Therefore, the user of the toy 10 can exchange the profiles of friends who have the same type of toy 10 by simply operating the toy 10. Thereby, the user's interest in the toy 10 can be enhanced.

[0057] Also, according to the toy 10 of this embodiment, the two-dimensional code 41 read by the toy 10B from another toy 10A contains information on profiles related to characters and numbers such as "name" and "nickname", but does not contain information on profiles related to images such as "user's face". And, for the information on the profile image, an image captured by the user B of the toy 10B with their own toy 10B is used and combined with the information read from another toy 10A. For this reason, not only can all the information on the profile be simply read by the toy 10, but also a highly interesting play content can be created by combining the face image of a friend captured with one's own camera with the information related to characters and numbers received from the friend. Also, since the communication of information between toys can be made into a simple communication that does not transmit and receive image information with a larger amount of information than the information related to characters and numbers, a toy 10 with reduced costs can be provided. Also, since the reception of information between toys is performed by reading a two-dimensional code with an imaging module, an additional module for transmitting and receiving information is not required, and a toy 10 with reduced costs can be provided.

[0058] Also, according to the toy 10 of this embodiment, since the imaging module can be activated in response to an input operation at a predetermined location on the profile screen where the face image after reading information from another toy 10A is not displayed, the imaging module can be activated without shifting to the home screen, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0059] Also, according to the toy 10 of this embodiment, the user of the toy 10 can create their own profile with their own toy 10 and save and display the created profile as their my profile in their own toy 10. Thereby, the user's interest in the toy 10 can be further enhanced.

Explanation of Signs

[0060] 10, 10A, 10B Toys 11 Processor 12, 12A, 12B Memories 13, 13A, 13B Touch Panel Monitors 14, 14A, 14B Imaging Modules 19 Bus 21 Name Input Area 22 Nickname Input Area 23 Date of Birth Input Area 24, 64 Constellation Display Area 25, 65 Facial Image Display Area 31, 32 Buttons 33 Registration Completion Button 34 Communication End Button 35 Display End Button 36 Imaging End Button 41 2D Code 42, 52, 72 Messages 51 Imaging Frame 61 Name Display Area 62 Nickname Display Area 63 Date of Birth Display Area 71 Alignment Frame 73 Release Button 74 Face

Claims

1. A display unit; a processor that controls the display unit to display first information; An imaging unit, the first information includes second information received from another toy through communication using the imaging unit and a first captured image obtained by imaging by the imaging unit; The communication using the imaging unit is communication by reading a code displayed by the other toy. toy.

2. 2. The toy of claim 1, The second information is information input to the other toy and stored in the other toy. toy.

3. 2. The toy of claim 1, The other toy is capable of displaying, as third information, the second information and a second captured image obtained by imaging by the other toy. toy.

4. 4. The toy according to claim 3, The other toys are: The second information is transmittable; The second captured image cannot be transmitted. toy.

5. 2. The toy of claim 1, The processor starts up the imaging unit after causing the second information to be displayed on the display unit. toy.

6. 6. The toy according to claim 5, The processor activates the imaging unit in response to an input operation at a predetermined position on a display screen showing the second information. toy.

7. 7. The toy according to claim 6, The predetermined location is an area of ​​the display screen for displaying the first captured image. toy.

8. 2. The toy of claim 1, The processor is capable of activating the imaging unit by an input operation even in a state in which the second information is not displayed. toy.

9. 2. The toy of claim 1, The processor performs a performance control to prompt a user to capture the first captured image when the processor receives the second information from the other toy. toy.

10. A toy according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The processor is capable of determining, as the first captured image, an image obtained by capturing an image before receiving the second information from the other toy. toy.

11. A control program for a toy including a display unit, a processor, and an imaging unit, The processor, Controlling the display unit to display first information; Execute the process, the first information includes second information received from another toy through communication using the imaging unit and a first captured image obtained by imaging by the imaging unit; The communication using the imaging unit is communication by reading a code displayed by the other toy. Control program.

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